Watch Ride

Ride is a 1998 comedy film that follows Leta Evans (Melissa De Sousa), a successful New York-based writer who returns to her hometown in California for her mother's birthday. Leta takes a plane to Los Angeles, where she meets up with her father, whom she has not seen for years. Her father sets her up with a flashy red Cadillac to drive home; however, the car is later stolen by two young men named Dre (Malik Yoba) and Rashid (Duane Martin). Leta teams up with the boys to recover her stolen vehicle and ends up going on a crazy and unpredictable road trip across California.

In the opening scenes of Ride, Leta is shown as a generous person who pays for a lost dog's veterinary bill while waiting at the airport for her flight. She is polite, well-mannered, and comes across as someone with a kind heart. When Leta lands in Los Angeles, she is met by her father, who is more interested in showing off his new sports car than anything else. Her dad has always had a strained relationship with Leta, and they have many unresolved issues which become clear throughout the movie.

The two young men, Dre and Rashid, are both struggling actors trying to make ends meet. They come from underprivileged backgrounds and have turned to theft to earn quick money. When they set their sights on Leta's flashy Cadillac, they think they have found their ticket to easy money. Dre is the more grounded of the duo, while Rashid is more of a loose cannon.

The trio sets out on a wild and unpredictable adventure as they chase after Leta's stolen vehicle. They visit a variety of locations, including a strip club, an underground gambling ring, a street race, and even a rodeo. The stakes keep getting higher as they run into trouble with the law and run-ins with the wrong people.

Along the way, the trio develops a bond, and Leta learns some valuable life lessons. She discovers that even though she may have had an idealistic view of life, she needs to embrace the real world to create authentic stories. Similarly, Dre and Rashid learn that they need to rely on themselves to make their dreams a reality, rather than relying on quick and easy theft.

Ride features an all-star cast of talented actors, including John Witherspoon as Leta's father, Cedric the Entertainer as a car dealer, and even Snoop Dogg as himself. The film's use of humor and light-hearted approach makes for enjoyable viewing, and the performances from the actors are commendable. De Sousa's portrayal of Leta is graceful and charming, while Yoba and Martin bring energy and vibrancy to their roles.

The film's director, Millicent Shelton, captures the beauty of California's landscapes and incorporates it into the story, adding to the overall appeal of Ride. The soundtrack also deserves a mention, featuring tracks from artists including Brandy, Xscape, and Ginuwine, which add to the film's enthusiastic and upbeat tempo.

Overall, Ride is an entertaining and enjoyable comedy that delivers an important message about life and the pursuit of happiness. The film's engaging cast, impressive soundtrack, and scenic visuals make it an enjoyable watch that leaves a lasting impression.

Ride is a 1998 comedy with a runtime of 1 hour and 30 minutes. It has received mostly poor reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 4.4.