Whip It

In Drew Barrymore’s “Whip It”, an eclectic cast and flat screenplay fail to live up to the potential of the unique plot. I finally got the opportunity to see this movie, and while I was interested in seeing how Ellen Page emerged in this role, I can’t help but see Bliss Cavendar as a less bloated extension of Juno. Bliss joins a roller derby team, the Hurl Scouts, which quickly develops into a quirky life lesson for the high school senior. However, complications arise around her age, and around her weakly described relationship with musician Oliver (Landon Pigg) who she met at the derby. The movie was ultimately a flop as it combined underutilized stars, with irrelevant newcomers. SNL front woman Kristen Wiig emerged more so as a mother figure to Page’s character, rather than as her goofy, humorous self. Barrymore limited her own performance to that of a tough but spacey skater named Smashley Simpson. And then you almost wonder why Marcia Gay Harden took the role, playing Bliss’ beauty pageant mother in this coming-of-age story. Though her performance was the most believable out of the bunch. The best acting came from Jimmy Fallon, who showed off his humor the way that Wiig should have, playing derby announcer 'Hot Tub' Johnny Rocket. Alia Shawkat, playing Bliss’ friend Pash, Carlo Alban, as Bliss’ young boss named Birdman, and Landon Pigg’s portrayal of Oliver, were all unnecessary distractions from the story. Also completely unbelievable was the rookie’s ability to skate amongst ‘professionals’ in the league. Overall the movie was uninteresting and a misstep for Barrymore. Better luck next time.