Whip It (2009)
Whip ItDirected by Drew Barrymore Written by Shauna Cross Starring Ellen Page; Ali Shawkat; Kristen Wiig; Marcia Gay Harden; Juliet Lewis; Drew Barrymore; Jimmy Fallon; Eve; Zoe Bell; Ari Graynor; Andrew Wilson; Eulala Scheel; Landon Pigg; Daniel Stern
Drew Barrymore’s freshman directorial effort is a semi-successful stab at a girl flick with an emphasis on the grrr. Barrymore clearly has tongue firmly planted in cheek, which contributes to the lightweight nature of the affair, but also makes the film hard not to like. Ellen Page stars as seventeen year old Texas high school student/diner waitress Bliss Calendar, a less quip ready version of Juno. Ali Shawkat of Arrested Development fame is Bliss’ best friend Pash. Playing outsider high schoolers, the two young actresses seem to be genuinely enjoying themselves. In fact, the entire cast appears to be having a pretty good time. The roller derby nom de plumes are certainly fun. Players include Kristen Wiig as single Mom Maggie Mayhem; Juliette Lewis as bad girl Iron Maven; Barrymore herself plays Smashley Simpson; Eve is Rosa Sparks; veteran stunt-woman Zoe Bell, Bloody Holly; and Ari Graynor Eva Destruction. Unfortunately, the plot line with Bliss and her uptight mom, Brooke (Marcia Gay Harden), who wants her daughter to be a beauty queen, feels half-baked and more than a little familiar. Though we encounter a few male characters, including Bliss’ father Earl (Daniel Stern) and Andrew Wilson as team coach Razor, they’re merely around for window dressing - this one is all about the women, and the film is at its best during scenes with Bliss and Pash and the roller derby sequences. Jimmy Fallon (husband of exec producer and longtime Barrymore creative partner Nancy Juvonen) adds a few laughs as announcer ‘Hot Tub’ Johnny Rocket. The story is based on the 2007 book Derby Girl, by Shauna Cross (known as Maggie Mayhem while skating for the Los Angeles Derby Dolls), who adapted her own debut novel for the screen. While this one could have benefited from a script re-write or two, Ms. Barrymore shows that she has a feel for tone and look (vaguely retro and helped in no small part by talented DP Robert Yeoman, Wes Anderson’s go to guy), and unsurprisingly gets relaxed performances from a strong cast. The eclectic soundtrack is a plus, and in a bit of typecasting indie artist Landon Pigg plays Bliss’ love interest Oliver.