The news that Drew Barrymore was about to make her directorial debut was greeted with a fair amount of skepticism within the industry. Her freshman effort however is not the complete clunker predicted by many nor does it herald a highly anticipated new career path for Barrymore. Instead she delivers a predictable and mediocre coming of age yarn that is not worthy of the talent it attracted.
The movie follows the girl to woman transformation of Bliss Cavendar (Ellen Page). Forced to participate in beauty pageants by her overbearing mother (Marcia Gay Harden) social misfit Bliss finds herself much more at home in the rough and tumble world of Roller Derby's. Facing strong opposition from her parents Bliss makes it her mission in life to join the local league and become her own person.
Whip It boasts an all star cast, although you have to wonder whether or not they would have even considered the material had Barrymore not been behind the helm. Perpetually misunderstood youth Ellen Page essentially plays Bliss Cavendar as Juno without the confidence (or the pregnancy). Despite this Page is obviously talented and makes the character likable enough, however she is completely upstaged by Arrested Development star Alia Shawkat who completely outshines Page's Oscar nominated behind as her wise cracking best friend Pash. Veteran actors Marcia Gay Harden and Daniel Stern are comically brilliant as Bliss's well intentioned parents with Juliette Lewis making us realise that she's one of best and most under appreciated actors working today as Bliss's devilish rival Iron Maven. Rounding out the supporting cast is rapper turned actor Eve, Tarantino stunt women extraordinaire Zoe Bell, Barrymore herself and the forgotten Wilson brother Andrew.
One of the biggest problems with Whip It is it's pacing. At times the film seems to drag on endlessly, making you question why a rather simple plot takes almost two hours to unfold. The more enjoyable moments come from the friendship between Bliss and Pash as well as the actual Roller Derby matches themselves. Barrymore succeeds so well in making you feel as though you are inside the ring that you can almost smell the sweat and blood. However these moments are often few and far between and we must instead watch a poorly developed and rather pointless love story unfold between Bliss and local musician Oliver as well as numerous sequences showcasing how 'wild' the derby girls are (they skate and wear heavy make -up, we get it!)
Barrymore's direction is certainly not bad, it just comes across as a little schizophrenic. It's almost as though she really wasn't quite sure what the end product should be, as such we are introduced to too many themes and ideas. While no great prodigy she should certainly be given another chance at directing as there is obvious potential evident. Barrymore certainly manages to elicit fine performances from her cast and should be applauded for the fact that she didn't turn Whip It into a self serving vanity project as most other actor/directors have a tendency to do.
Whilst nothing spectacular, Whip It is nonetheless enjoyable fare. Just don't count on wanting to spend another round in the ring. Two and a half stars out of five
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