The star of Juno is back in a new teen dramedy directed by Drew Barrymore. See Ellen Page in Whip It.
The star of Juno is back in a new teen dramedy directed by Drew Barrymore. See Ellen Page in Whip It.
Stuck in a Rut
Bliss Everdeen feels stuck—struck in her little town of Bodeen, Texas; struck waiting tables at the Oink Joint; and stuck competing in a never-ending string of beauty pageants. She’s not a girly-girl like her little ball-of-sunshine sister, and despite her mother’s desire to see her win pageants, beauty competitions just aren’t her thing.
Roller Derby
While shoe shopping in Austin, Bliss finds a flyer advertising a roller derby game. She and her best friend Pash sneak out to the city. Walking into the arena, they find a whole world of fierce competition, strong camaraderie and energized fans that they never knew existed.
Tryouts
After the game, one of the roller derby players invites Bliss to try out for the team. Even though Bliss is only 17 and the age restriction is 21, she decides to try out anyway. For such a tiny girl, she’s definitely a tough competitor. She makes the team on just her speed alone, and quickly becomes a leading scorer on the team.
Conflicting Views
At the derby arena, she meets a boy, Oliver, who’s the singer in a band. Their attraction is instant. But when Oliver has to go away for over a month on tour, Bliss is forced to question his loyalty. When her mother gets wind of the roller derby team, she’s outraged. Bliss must sort out her priorities and build a life that makes both herself and her family happy.
The Bottom Line
Whip It is based on a novel called Derby Girl by Shaunna Cross. Ellen Page is amazing as a girl caught between the demands of her mother and the need to be herself. Whip It is definitely a must see movie.
Whip It Rating:
