Fantastic is really all there is to it.
Whip It's energy and whimsical sarcasm takes its audience on a hard-hitting ride, leaving you to forget the world outside. Taste appropriate, but I must say this film is complete with a stellar cast of enjoyable actors; its ensemble does no wrong. Drew Barrymore's knack for angles and scenery is really quite amazing for a first-timer. The scenes are quick, well acted, action packed and giggle-induced. Barrymore may have actually made me want to become a "Hurl Scout."
Bliss Cavendar (Ellen Page) is an alternative dresser who is forced by her mother (Marcia Gay Harden) to get glammed up for local beauty pageants. In a hilarious opening scene, Bliss hints—well more than hints—at her unhappiness by boldly dying her hair blue before making her grand entrance on stage. In a further attempt to rebel, Bliss and her best (and only) friend and coworker at the "Oink Joint," Pash, daringly attend a tattooed-induced roller derby game chock full of badass chicks. In being awestruck, Bliss is determined to make this her new destiny, trying out with her Barbie roller-skates for the conveniently near tryouts that very weekend. Obviously she makes the team and voila! A star is born.
Notably Juliette Lewis plays Iron Maven, the star of the league, who is intimidated by Bliss' fresh skills. She bullies her consistently by pulling hilarious pranks on the wee Ellen Page. Lewis's performance is, as always, believable as a scary female. She makes the movie whole in the stereotypical bad guy role. In the final scene, the championship, Maven and Bliss' relationship concludes with respect from both parties after Bliss finally uses abuse to her advantage, what roller derby is indeed all about.
By far the best chick-sports movie since A League of their Own, an under-included Hurl Scout Maggie Mayhem (Kristen Wiig) disappointingly wasn't as featured as I would have liked. SNL's star decided to stray from her typical goofy self to play a tough single mom with comedic undertones. Still a wonderful addition, the film would have been 300 times more hilarious than it already is if Wiig was allowed to play freely.
I must bring back up Barrymore's fantastic directorial debut. While starring as Smashly Simpson, skating did not get in Barrymore's way of perfecting each and every scene. The camera angles during each roller derby game leave us thrilled and jumping up and down cheering in our seats. The low angles are what make each and every scene spectacular, and of course the background noise of the league's announcer Jimmy Fallon isn't too shabby either.
The ending, which I won't spoil, is a sappy "aw" moment but pair well leaving this teen angst movie whole. Whip It has all the elements of your typical C rated movie but small elements, presumably created through the eyes of Barrymore's vision, leave this film with an A rating. Point blank, go see this movie whether your male, female, young or old.
DVD Extras Features
A swell variety of deleted and alternate scenes including an alternate opening, which are enjoyable enough to watch one after the other. It is apparent that these scenes weren't cut because they suck, but simply to make their set time restraint. Other mediocre extras include a round up of Whip It's soundtrack, said by Barrymore to be "My mix-tape for you," as well as an interview with its writer, and fellow roller derby gal, Shauna Cross.
"Whip It" is on sale January 26, 2010 and is rated PG13. Comedy, Drama, Sports. Directed by Drew Barrymore. Written by Shauna Cross. Starring Alia Shawkat, Daniel Stern, Drew Barrymore, Ellen Page, Jimmy Fallon, Juliette Lewis, Kristen Wiig, Marcia Gay Harden, Zoë Bell.
