WHIP IT 3.5****



You could call this “Juno” on roller skates. The same terrific Ellen Page stars here as a 17 yr. old small town, going-no-where teenager who happens upon ladies roller derby in the Big town of Austin. On a lark, she tries out for one of the teams and finds out that she’s good at it and that it is good for her. The movie also reminds me of “The Wrestler” from the standpoint of presenting a fascinating look at one of those out-in-right-field sports and especially its focus on the roller girls…the “derbettes”…and their camaraderie, their less-than-dainty-uniforms and tactics, their wild makeup and hairdos, AND their preoccupation with coming up with gruesome names such as “Mayhem”, “Smashly”, “Bloody”, and the one Page adopts for herself.. “Ruthless”. It is only semi-serious and half-way realistic… but it is all-the-way funny and heartfelt.

“Whip-It” is produced and directed by none-other than Drew Barrymore who also plays a supporting role as the team toughie and wild one, “Smashly’. It was wise of her to not try to overshadow Page and an excellent supporting cast. Barrymore hits a homeroom on all counts and does an amazing job for her rookie turn as a director.

I enjoyed this movie from start to finish …the characters are fascinating, realistic and endearing…the story is well written… unique in some ways but familiar in others (written in fact, by a real roller “derbette”).Hats off and a “well done” to Drew Barrymore for enthusing the excellent ensemble cast and to Ellen Page for taking on a very physical role and pulling it off in a very believable way.

If you have been looking for something different, something unique, but at the same time a “feel good” movie, this is it.

Clark