When a problem comes along, you must Whip It good

Rating: Null/10 (12 February 2010)

I saw the trailer for Whip It a few months ago and both my boyfriend and I were kind of looking forward to seeing it. Also to see Drew Barrymore graduate into being a director was something I was curious to witness. But I did have some set backs, Drew isn't that great of an actress, could she not only act well in the film but also direct the film to be good enough for the story line? Also Ellen Page, I loved this girl, but unfortunately, her fame from Juno got me in a tiff as she played the exact same character in Hard Candy, then she played after Juno in Smart People as the exact same character once again: sarcastic, rebellious and does her own thing. It's OK, but if you want your career to expand to something bigger, you have to be willing to show some growth and range as an actor. The film wasn't really around my area in the theaters, so my boyfriend and I had to wait for the rental, so we did rent this and watched it on Friday and all the concerns I had for this film turned out to be all wrong thankfully.
Bliss is a misfit in her small town in Texas and has no idea where her life is going. She allows her mother to push her into winning beauty pageant after beauty pageant, despite having no interest in it herself. She and her friend Pash dream of escaping their small town, with Pash planning to go to an Ivy League School in a big city and Bliss hoping to find something that will help her figure out where she belongs. During a shopping trip to Austin she finds it: roller derby. She and Pash secretly go to the roller derby event in Austin under the pretense of going to a football game. Bliss only wishes to tell the Hurl Scouts that they are "her new heroes" and is suddenly thrown into the idea of being in Roller Derby herself when Maggie Mayhem tells her to try out the next week for the team. She makes the team and soon discovers who she is and what she loves, but what she might have to give up and may have to disappoint her beauty pageant crazed mother.
Ellen Page showed a little more range in her character, she is rebellious, but also has a very shy and vulnerable side that I really enjoyed watching. Drew also did a great job considering this is her first time directing. The whole supporting cast is great, of course Marcia Gay Harden always pulling in an incredible performance as this crazy mom who just wants her daughter to be this 1950's step ford wife. There is a scene between Marcia and Ellen towards the end where they're starting to talk about how Ellen wants to go into a different direction in life but Marcia wants her to continue into her way of thinking, but they come to an understanding of each other was a great scene and the best of the movie. I'm also glad to see Zoe Bell get more roles, ever since I saw this girl in Death Proof, I've been dying to see her in something else, she's a tough chick who has a ton of energy and is an absolute delight to watch on screen. Also, is it just me, or does it seem like Juliette Lewis doesn't age? I know this girl has to be in her upper 30's, but she still looks like she's 21 and still has the acting chops. I really did enjoy the movie, even if it was predictable, it was a good time with the laughs and the great acting. I recommend this film if you get the chance, it leaves you with a smile on your face.
7/10