Ellen Page delivers yet another excellent performance in Drew Barrymore’s directorial debut on the sport of female roller derby.
Artwork by Anna Becker
If looking for an original movie with a great cast, Whip It is a movie that should not be missed!
In 2007, critics and audiences across the nation praised an independent film called Juno, allowing it to be nominated for several Academy Awards including Best Picture and Best Actress. The actress who was nominated, an unknown named Ellen Page, gave such an outstanding performance, I am clueless as to why she did not win. In actress Drew Barrymore’s (He’s Just Not That Into You) directorial debut, Whip It (based on Shauna Cross’ novel, Derby Girl), Page gives yet another outstanding performance, playing a typical small town girl who competes in the sport of roller derby.
In the small town of Bodeen Texas, 17-year-old Bliss Cavendar (Ellen Page, Juno) does not live an exciting life. In addition to working as a waitress at the local diner, the Oink Joint, Bliss is forced by her mother, Brooke (Marcia Gay Harden, The Mist), to compete in beauty pageants, the current one being the Miss Bluebonnet. In a memorable opening scene, each Bluebonnet contestant is walking up to a podium to give a speech. One of these contestants, a rebellious Bliss, walks up with her hair dyed blue.
While shopping at the local mall, Bliss, deciding to buy some new shoes, goes into the shoe store. Bliss takes notice when a group of roller derby girls roll in, leaving fliers for their upcoming game in Austin. As she watches them, Bliss discovers a new interest that may be her calling: roller derby.
Bliss talks her best friend Pash (Alia Shawkat, Bart Got a Room) into going to see the roller derby match. After the game, Bliss is introduced to “Maggie Mayhem” (Kristen Wiig, Extract), a skater for one of the main teams, the Hurl Scouts. “Mayhem,” taking a liking to Bliss, recommends she try out for the team. It was quite humorous when, traveling to Austin in the local bingo bus, Bliss befriends one of the elderly ladies who happens to have died her hair blue also.
Showing up to tryouts in her old Barbie skates, Bliss does not start out well, as her skating is rather clumsy. By the end however the Hurl Scouts‘ coach Razor (Owen and Luke’s brother Andrew Wilson, The Royal Tennabums), notices a skater with great potential, and thus “Babe Ruthless” was born. During Bliss’ tryouts, I was introduced to some of the other Hurl Scouts. While most actresses like stuntwoman Zoë Bell (Grindhouse’s Death Proof) and R&B singer Eve, gave performances that were not that unique, Drew Barrymore’s “Smashley Simpson” character was a highlight of Whip It, as she delivered a hilarious performance as the goofball type.
Proving to be an asset to the team, “Babe” takes the Hurl Scouts where they have never gone before: the playoff match against an unnamed Texas team which included Babe’s main enemy in roller derby, “Iron Maven” (Juliette Lewis, Extract). Whenever the roller derby teams battled it out in the arena, the ambiance felt very realistic. To complete this ambiance, comedian, Jimmy Fallon (Saturday Night Live) delivered a memorable performance as the vulgar (but funny) announcer, “Hot Tub” Johnny Rocket.
The main thing that makes Whip It original is its story (if you can think of another film that revolves around the sport of female roller derby, please let me know). Since Drew Barrymore chose an original topic for a new director, she was able to be successful in this new position.
Another reason to see Whip It is to not only watch the star of Juno give another great performance, but to listen to a soundtrack that features music as good as Juno’s as well. This soundtrack, composed of mainly indie rock hits performed by artists such as Dolly Parton, Apollo Sunshine, and the Ramones, is as good as the film. After seeing Whip It, chances are you will soon be gaining access to the soundtrack.
On a similar note, most people may not know that Colorado (like many states) is fortunate enough to have three roller derby organizations: The Denver Roller Dolls, The Rocky Mountain Rollergirls, and The Pikes Peak Derby Dames, who have been doing well enough to compete in the western regionals.
Rating: ★★★★★
