The main character in "Riding in Cars with Boys" — a biographical film based on a true story — is possibly the film's least compelling and sympathetic person, which is something of a problem.

Of course, some of that probably has to do with the fact that Drew Barrymore, the actress playing that role, is outdone at nearly every turn by the scene-stealing supporting cast.

But it's unfair to lay the entire blame for this solid misfire on Barrymore, who gives what is arguably the best performance of her career. It's not her fault that she's all wrong for the role (she still doesn't have the range for this type of material).

Nor is it her fault that she's stuck with a director, Penny Marshall, who seems bent on emulating every filmmaking mistake ever made by her brother, "Princess Diaries" director Garry Marshall.

In particular, the film suffers from an uncertain and sometimes inappropriate tone, as well as a rather unwieldy length — both trademarks of the other Marshall's works.

Consequently, it doesn't really do justice to its source material, the autobiography of author Beverly Donofrio (played in the film by Barrymore), who always seemed destined for big things. But she got pregnant at age 15 and was forced into marriage by her tradition-minded parents (James Woods and Lorraine Bracco).

Despite the efforts of her best friend (Brittany Murphy) and destined-to-fail, strung-out husband (Steve Zahn), Beverly wound up unhappy as a housewife and continued to look for ways out of her humdrum existence.

Unfortunately, in the process she also wound up becoming a neglectful mother, something that continued to haunt her as her son grew up and began resenting the mother he believed never wanted him.

As director, Marshall should get the lion's share of the blame here, but it should be noted that she was working with a bad script. Morgan Upton Ward's adaptation of Donofrio's memoirs is particularly ineffective due to its clunky story structure. (It begins in 1986, which leads to extended flashback sequences, the bane of many a film.)

To her credit, Barrymore does give it her all (give her points for the authentic accent). But she doesn't look any more convincing at age 35 than she does at 15.

Frankly, the film's one real strong point is the surprisingly layered performance by the usually comic Zahn, who makes the flawed Ray Hasek a compelling tragic figure whom we really care about.

Also, Murphy's solid, nuanced supporting turn suggests that she might have been a better choice to play Donofrio.

"Riding in Cars With Boys" is rated PG-13 for simulated drug use (Quaaludes) as well as scene of drug manufacturing (marijuana), scattered use of profanity, simulated sex and sexual contact (mostly done for laughs), some crude sexual talk and use of vulgar gestures, and brief violence (a party scuffle, also done for laughs). Running time: 122 minutes.

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