The odd thing about Drew Barrymore's directorial debut is that she has taken so long to actually do it. This longtime star has been a producer for a number of years, and wisely she doesn't try to reinvent the wheel when it comes to taking the reins behind the camera. As a result her first feature is a sweet-natured and engaging affair.
Based on the novel 'Derby Girl', the film covers familiar ground and mixes a coming-of-age tale with the structure of a sports movie. Ellen Page stars as Bliss, a typical teen living in Nowheresville, USA, who fulfils her postal-worker mother's (an impressive Marcia Gay Harden) dreams by competing in local beauty pageants. On a trip to the local city, Bliss bumps into the local all-girl roller derby team and is instantly smitten.
Lying about her age and dusting down her wheels, Bliss tries out for the team and gets a spot. They've never won anything before, there are good-looking guys hanging around and her parents would kill her if they knew: there are no surprises here in the plot or where it goes, but it's a bit like a comfort blanket of a film: familiar and cosy.
It's also helped by a great cast, Page again showing just why she is one of the best young actresses in Hollywood. Barrymore has a minor role and casts the likes of Juliette Davis and Jimmy Fallon in other lesser roles. It's also got one of the best rock and pop soundtracks of recent times, with the Go! Team, The Breeders and The Kings of Leon showing that Barrymore also has a great taste in music.
Unsurprisingly, Barry more is a dab hand at directing: Whip It looks like it was a lot of fun to make, and audiences are likely to have a lot of fun too.
Paul Hurley
