Fun and sweet, “Whip It” is a growing up movie that Michigan can be proud of (story is set in Texas, but shot in Michigan).

Ellen Page is great in a familiar coming-of-age teen angst role… but its a role she excels in again.
 

(My spoiler-free review)

This is a new classic growing up outcast movie, centered on the life of an awkward low self-esteem girl that neither fits into the life of pageants her mother wants nor the high school in-crowd that make fun of her.

The 22-year old Page plays the teenage main character Bliss so genuinely and with such conviction, you might forget that that she is a few years beyond her character’s age.

Bliss’ mom is played wonderfully by Marcia Gay Harden who really helps enhance the mother-daughter tensions, while Daniel Stern plays her supportive football loving dad with a natural ease… add in Eulala Scheel as the little sister and this comes across as a very believeable disfunctional family.

The strength of the cast goes beyond the main characters: 

from Alia Shawkat playing a trusted but confused best friend… to Kristen Wiig as roller derby mentor… to Andrew Wilson as the coach frustrated with mediocrity… to Eve, Zoe Bell, Drew Barrymore as teammates… Landon Pigg as Bliss’ love interest…. Jimmy Fallon as the roller derby announcer… and Juliette Lewis having no problems playing the antagonist.

If the acting and script aren’t the stars of the film, then Barrymore is the star in her first movie as director, creating cute little moments, tense drama, and hilarious comedy that are sweet and endearing to the audience.  She seems to get the most out of the performances from her solid cast, and I am happy to report does not give herself the best lines or moments of the movie.

If that’s not enough, “Whip It” includes Rachel Bockheim of the  Grand Raggidy Roller Girls and was filmed earlier this year in several Michigan cities, including Ann Arbor, Detroit, and Ferndale.

Some references to enjoy: 1980’s music group Stryker, Barbie, the movie “Oliver”, the movie “The Jerk”, and Young MC.

THE BOTTOM LINE: the movie does many things very well, its sporty and romantic, dramatic and comedic, uplifting and heartbreaking, and about family and friendship… I give it 7.9 out of 10 … a very solid effort that should warrant some award consideration.

 “Whip It”

(2009) (rated: PG-13 for sexual content including crude dialogue, language and drug material)
(1 hr, 51 min)

Starring: Ellen Page, Alia Shawkat, Marcia Gay Harden, Eulala Scheel, Daniel Stern, Landon Pigg, Sarah Habel, Carlo Alban, Shannon Eagen, Jimmy Fallon, Kristen Wiig, Zoe Bell, Eve, Drew Barrymore, Andrew Wilson, Juliette Lewis, Rusty Mewha, Will Brick, Madge Levinson, Alexis O’Neill, Eli Bleiler, Kristen Adolfi, Rachel Piplica, Ari Graynor, LaTasha Pippen, Sydney Bennett, Mary Callaghan Lynch, Nina Kircher, Rachel Bockheim (Grand Raggidy Roller Girls)

Director: Drew Barrymore

Genre: Comedy/Genre

The Plot: In Bodeen, Texas, an indie-rock loving misfit finds a way of dealing with her small-town misery after she discovers a roller derby league in nearby Austin.

Filmed in Michigan: Ann Arbor, Birch Run, Detroit, Ferndale, Frankenmuth, Novi, Royal Oak, Saline, Troy, Ypsilanti

Grand Raggidy Roller Girls http://grandraggidyrollergirls.com/ season begins October 24th.

So what did you think?  Please post a comment!

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“Whip It” poster courtesy Fox Searchlight

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