Whip It, not to be confused with a popular song from the 80’s by a four man band wearing odd red hats resembling Lego pieces made for giants is the debut film from Drew Barrymore. Like many other actors Barrymore has gone behind the camera to take her turn at calling the shots though still appearing in the film, her main role however was orchestrating this roller-derby opus.
The film portrays the story of a Texas high school girl played by Ellen Page secretly falling in with a group of tattooed roller-derby freaks against the wishes of her pageant pursuing mother. Anyone familiar with her role in Juno will be equally endeared by the role she plays though less pregnant this time around. The Texas sized heart of the film lies in the struggle the main characters have in forging their own destiny separate from what friends or family would want for them. As Page breaks away from her mothers will she becomes more rebellious thus adding to the changes affecting her and those for whom she cares.
Where Barrymore truly shines as director is getting the right actors in the right roles assembling a cast as delightful as they are diverse. Whip It includes SNL’s Kristen Wig, Death Proof’s Zoe Bell, Eve, and Juliette Lewis as some of the roller-derby dames. The film also pulls in Arrested Development’s mischievous Maeby aka Alia Shawkat, Andrew Wilson (the lesser known Wilson brother), and even Jimmy Fallon finds an appropriate role as the roller rink announcer.
What will surprise viewers though is how Barrymore resists the urge to fill scenes with needless dialogue instead letting the images see the story through. Drew accurately animates a middle class America without glamour but not without comfort or charm. Barrymore also turns in a world class playlist guiding the movie gently along to The Ramones, The Raveonettes, Little Joy, .38 Special, Radiohead, and ever talented Dolly Parton.
Though the plot can be recognized early on Whip It is a simple and enjoyable story that may not win over the masses but will certainly strike it big with the Fox Searchlight indie market. Whip It is the first chick flick in recent memory that is such without overburdening viewers with taxing emotions but not without the bumps and bruises that come along the way. Where chick flick meets contact sport.
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Good review. Funny enough, 20+ years later, Drew Barrymore is directing Whip It, 2009.
ReplyDeleteUnder normal circumstances I would have thought that Ellen Page has a really annoying way about her, but she actually did a great job in this movie; all around Whip It rocked.
ReplyDeleteDrew Barrymore is well known for her quirky acting and distinct personality. But now movie goers across the country will begin seeing her in a new light- director.
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