Review by Sara Freeman: Though I know it’s not my scene, I wish I was cool enough to be in “Whip It” so that I could be best friends with all of the rockin’ leading ladies and have a sweet roller derby name like Babe Ruthless or Iron Maiven. Their tough monikers, glam rock outfits and grrl power attitudes are very attractive to someone like me, who consistently battles with confidence issues. Appropriate since, after doing some research on the history of roller derby, it seems like confidence building is one of the main focal points of the sport. By teaming up with other women and competing in both a tough as nails and heart of gold kind of environment, the gals of roller derby are encouraged to learn about their internal instincts and physical prowess. These ideals are perfectly encapsulated by the women in “Whip It,” which is based on the book “Derby Girl” by Shauna Cross and also marks the directorial debut of long-time actress and producer, Drew Barrymore. By focusing on this women-only sport, Barrymore and Cross illuminate some of the major problems women face today through the power of feminine bonding.

Deep in the heart of Texas, amidst a sea of beauty pageants and pig-themed diners, lies the home of seventeen-year old Bliss Cavendar (Ellen Page) and her realistically blue collared family. Bliss’ mom, Brooke (Marcia Gay Harden), is so obsessed with image that she forces both Bliss and her sister, Shania (Harden’s real life daughter, Eulala Scheel) to compete in pageant after pageant in order to make her daughters think they want better social circumstances. Bliss has other ideas, and after a rebellious bout with some blue hair dye and unfeminine army boots, she secretly discovers roller derby, tries out to be one of Austin’s Hurl Scouts, and makes the team. By taking tips from her loving teammates Smashley Simpson (Drew Barrymore, constantly getting bruised and bloodied), Rosa Sparks (Eve), Bloody Holly (Zoe Bell), and Maggie Mayhem (Kristen Wiig), Bliss, now known as Babe Ruthless, quickly becomes the team’s star player and enters her element, which inevitably leads to her first relationship, fights between her and her best friend back home, Pash (Alia Shawkat), and a standoff between Brooke and Bliss on the eve of the derby championships.

While this basic story, as well as most sports and teen movies in general, can seem awfully familiar, “Whip It” stands out because Barrymore goes to such great lengths to make sure everything in her movie is three-dimensional and sincere. From the texture of the Cavendar’s middleclass home to the quiet moments of conversation and reflection, everything is carefully considered and poised. These characters may be stereotypes on paper, but each actor is so great in his or her role that they transcend the implied boundaries  to deliver something truly special. As a long time participant in the genre, I’m sure Barrymore is quite familiar with how cookie cutter the teen movies and their archetypes tend to seem to young women. Thus, Barrymore takes her coming of age story out of the usual high school setting, all but eliminates the teen queen bitch role, and focuses the growing pains Bliss and her pals experience on real issues like identity crises, realizing the difference between your own expectations and those of other people, and, probably the best part, learning how to compromise and realistically tackle ones ambitions and dreams in this not so kind world.

Each and every character in “Whip It” who has more than a few lines has had to compromise in some way. The mother, Brooke, was forced to give up her beauty pageant dreams when she became pregnant with Bliss and compromises by living vicariously through her daughters. Many of the women in the Hurl Scouts, including Smashley Simpson and Maggie Mayhem, toil away at various menial jobs or must take care of their children before they can spend a few hours a week doing what they really love. This is probably best exemplified by the film’s villain from the opposing team, Iron Maiven (Juliette Lewis), who hates Bliss from day one and makes it a personal mission to be mean to her. In a femme to femme at the end of the film, the much older Maiven confronts Bliss and admits that the root of her hatred stems from jealousy because she, at such a young age, is so good at roller derby. Bliss will be able to compete for many years to come and Maiven may only have a few years left. As New York Times critic A.O. Scott noted in his review, the scenes between these two actresses resonate powerfully because Lewis was basically the Ellen Page of her generation. Bliss’ journey into the world of roller derby may not last forever or lead to a successful job, but she’s willing to forego the usual post-high school things like college and a career until she’s done exploring her talents. Above anything else, “Whip It” encourages women to pursue similar avenues, fight like hell for what they really want out of life, and as Maggie Mayhem so wonderfully puts it, “to be your own hero.”

Though I’ve failed to mention it thus far, “Whip It” is also a ton of fun and its punk-rock bravado is infectious. You’ll leave the theatre with bands like Tilly and the Wall and The Raveonettes feeding your post-movie adrenaline rush. The roller derby matches are skillfully choreographed and every deep cut, nasty bruise and drippy bloody nose is vividly captured by long-time Wes Anderson cinematographer Robert Yeoman. Even though I don’t know all that much about roller derby, I found myself cheering for the Hurl Scouts alongside everyone at the theatre and became fully immersed in every match. Outside the rink, Barrymore creates a very slumber party-esque atmosphere. Aside from the usual tiffs at home, the plot of “Whip It” usually guides us into a variety of hang out sessions between all of the ladies. When not skating their hearts out, the Hurl Scouts are usually partying side by side or bonding over a burger, pizza, or an epic food fight. While it might sound cheesy to some, the film’s sense of sisterhood is such a welcomed relief compared to most of today’s catty teen girl movies.

The film’s title is taken from one of the most impressive moves on the roller derby rink. One of the blockers sticks her leg in the air while the jammer (the person who scores the points) comes up from behind, grabs her ankles, and holds on tight as she’s flung in front of the pack in order to zoom ahead and score more points. By creating such a terrific teen girl movie, Barrymore has put herself in similar circumstances. She hung onto the ankles of contemporary cinema and hoped it would push her towards the gold, but, judging by its lukewarm box office gross, it looks like we let her down. It’s a true shame that the young women of today would rather gush over the latest Stephanie Meyer adaptation or even "Couples Retreat" instead of a film as rewarding as “Whip It.” In one scene, Bliss body checks a character that is the very embodiment of a teen girl stereotype. She walks away from the camera, sighs, and remarks, “We deserve better villains.” She’s right, but we also deserve better audiences and more films like “Whip It” to be proud of.

Last Word: The rare teen comedy that promotes feminist-minded thinking and encourages young women to explore their passions. Barrymore directs the hell out of it, and the whole thing's a blast.

Review By:
Sara Freeman

IN REVIEW ONLINE