Whip It

In most instances, when celebrities latch onto something underground they don't understand but think is cool, it ruins the whole deal. Such is the case with Whip It, a film loosely based upon the roller derby resurgence in order to give an otherwise bland flick about some small-town kid coming-of-age a pair of wheels. Bliss Cavendar (Ellen Page) is another no-name Texas teen tired of her sleepy community. Unwittingly stumbling onto the Austin roller derby league, she instantly excels, becoming a star. Naturally, her love interest (Doug Minckiewicz) is in an indie band; the two face struggles; Cavendar is called-out for lying about her age to join the league; and she battles her protective parents for autonomy. Cue the happy ending. The production is rather predictable, the stunning freshness of derby notwithstanding. That though, is almost ruined by its connection to such a blasé film. Part of the blame falls on writer Shauna Cross, who is clearly more comfortable with a novel's depth and length, as opposed to the quick pacing of film. Due her share of chiding ― seeing as Barrymore's last stint in the director's chair was for some forgettable television program, circa 2004 ― it's understandable that this film would disappoint. Not only does it reek of juvenility, in a stream-of-consciousness delivery that forgets moments, assumes we know backgrounds and lacks any true climax, but, again, there's nothing unique other than roller derby to give it identity. And that ends up feeling like a constant non-sequitur tossed in as breathers from bouts of Cavendar's emotional strife. One can almost envision Barrymore and Cross struggling to fit these two elements together when they should be mutually supportive. This is yet another case of a great independent culture awkwardly pawed at by celebs aching for street cred. Even Fox apparently realizes this might bomb, offering only eight thankfully deleted scenes and previews for other company pictures as bonus material.