Autumn is typically the time of year in which movie studios begin releasing more serious, thoughtful fare. A film about roller derby, then, might seem a little out of place in the fall lineup. But like any good sports story, this one is not just about a competition; there's more to it than meets the eye.
"Whip It" is a coming-of-age story starring Ellen Page as Bliss Cavendar, a teenage girl stifled by the small town she lives in and frustrated by typical adolescent issues: namely parents, boys and school. Her mother wants her to compete in beauty pageants, and despite not fitting in, Bliss begrudgingly participates. But when she discovers the world of roller derby, Bliss must find a balance between pleasing her parents and following her heart.
The film's plot is nothing special and indeed follows most of the expected arcs — Bliss stumbles upon something she loves, but is forced to participate without her parents' knowledge or consent. She also meets a boy in a band and must confront the ensuing conflicts.
"Whip It" really shines in its execution. Instead of foreshadowing later events and heightening drama for the sake of cheap catharsis, first-time director Drew Barrymore deftly captures the main character's emotional journey through the film's tone. As Bliss makes friends and becomes a valuable part of the roller derby team, carefree and heedless of the future, so too does the film move along at a pleasantly breezy pace.
One of the film's achievements is its honest depiction of the relationship between a parent and a child. Whereas other movies might be content to chronicle the big fight, the makeup and the inevitable acceptance, here Bliss and her mother, Brooke Cavendar (Marcia Gay Harden), share a few quiet moments, coming to a better understanding of each other and forging a stronger bond. There are no histrionics or intense music to signal drama and change; instead, Barrymore goes for subtlety and succeeds, which provides audiences with a wonderful contrast to the over-the-top world of roller derby.
Such character development could not be accomplished without a solid cast, and there is nary a weak performance to be found. Page and Harden are in fine form, conveying their characters' emotional turmoil in performances that are reserved yet powerful, and Daniel Stern turns in a surprising performance as the caring father who struggles to find a way to connect with his daughter. Because these three form the emotional core of the film, screenwriter (and author of the original novel) Shauna Cross wisely focuses on them and doesn't bog down the film's momentum by devoting time to other characters.
That's not to say that the supporting cast isn't worthy of screen time. Barrymore is a hoot as Smashley Simpson, the hippie teammate with anger issues, and Jimmy Fallon fits in perfectly as the cheesy derby ringmaster. Andrew Wilson, Kristen Wiig and Alia Shawkat fill out the cast, lending not only laughs but also some gravitas — there are no caricatures here, just real people.
It is all the more impressive considering that the derby scenes are performed entirely by the cast members. Roller derby is a fast, violent and exhilarating sport but potentially confusing to those unfamiliar with it, and the film does a good job of explaining the rules briefly through the announcer's dialogue.
Clearly, Barrymore has an understanding of and respect for the sport, but she also has a remarkable feel for setting. Much of the film takes place in Austin, Texas, and Barrymore successfully captures the vibe of the city and its people — laid back, friendly and sincere. From inclusion of local landmarks Alamo Drafthouse and Waterloo Records to little touches like yard signs supporting high school sports, it's clear that she has a Mike Judge-like feel for the Lone Star State.
With its roller derby action, light-hearted humor and nuanced performances, "Whip It" is a delightful movie that effortlessly entertains and is a surprisingly accomplished directorial debut for Barrymore.
