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Whip It
2009 111 min United States of America PG-13 16+
★7.1
Drama
Director: Drew Barrymore
🎭 Based on
«Derby Girl»
byShauna Cross
Trailers
Description
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.
Budget:
$15M
US Gross:
$13.04M
Worldwide:
$16.63M
Starring
Elliot Page
Actor
Drew Barrymore
Actor
Kristen Wiig
Actor
Awards
8 nominations total
Key opinion
Whip It is generally regarded as a charming, sincere, and entertaining directorial debut from Drew Barrymore, anchored by a strong performance from Ellen Page. While critics agree that the narrative relies on conventional coming-of-age tropes, the unique subculture of roller derby and the film's energetic spirit provide enough freshness to make it a worthwhile watch.
| Acting | Ellen Page anchors the film with an authentic and compelling portrayal of teenage rebellion. | |
| Production | The roller derby sequences serve as the film's most visually dynamic and engaging component. | |
| Screenplay | The script follows a predictable 'ugly duckling' structure that lacks original narrative depth. | |
| Direction | Drew Barrymore’s directorial debut shows genuine promise and heart, though it occasionally suffers from uneven pacing and execution. | |
| Theme | While some viewers find the character dynamics between the protagonist and her mother emotionally resonant, others characterize the intergenerational conflict as strained or underdeveloped. |