WHIP IT

At the first time at bat, some people strike out and others knock it out of the park. In her directorial debut, Drew Barrymore's WHIP IT is a solid home run.

Juno's Ellen Page stars in this story of a 17 year old girl lost in the world of beauty pageants, high school, and small town life. A bohemian struggling to fit into her parents (specifically her mother's) expectations of her. She waits tables at a BBQ joint where the popular kids stiff her on tips. Whilst on a shopping trip to Austin she hears about a roller derby exhibation match between the worst team, lead by Saturday Night Live's Kristen Wiig, and the 2 time undefeated defending champions, lead by Juliette Lewis. Page's Bliss is intrigued b the sport and when she hears about open try outs, she breaks out the Barbie skates and goes. The rest is well your standard "losers" sports story. But one that deals with things with a light touch and a sweet message.

Supporting Page is a bevy of beauties and character actors. Stunt woman and Death Proof star Zoe Bell, director Barrymore, and rapper Eve are teammates and Owen Wilson's big brother Andrew is her coach. Daniel Stern and Marcia Gay Harding are her parents. Jimmy Fallon shows up almost unrecognizable.

Barrymore directs with a sure hand, balancing the action Roller Derby scenes and the light comedy and romance. The standard third act emotional scenes are also handled well. This is territory she knows well, 10 years ago she would have starred in this movie.

This is a good, solid, heartwarming film about finding you niche in life and following through, and believing that your friends and family will follow you.

WHIP IT hits DVD and BLU-RAY on January 26, 2010.