Movie Review: Whip It - Page 2

Things take a change when Bliss is shopping in a secondhand shop and a couple of women on roller skates roll in and leave fliers on the counter. Bliss has a look of awe on her face as she watches them leave. She picks one up and her mind starts to turn. Could this be an opportunity to find her, well, bliss?

She lies to her parents and heads off to try out for a roller derby team. Surprisingly, she makes the team. Bliss falls in love with roller derby and her teammates, including Maggie Mayhem (Kristen Wiig), Smashley Simpson (Drew Barrymore), and Rosa Sparks (Eve).

Her work to be with the team puts a strain on her relationship with her family and friends. However, in spite of the relationship difficulties this causes, she is learning so much more about herself. Of course, she also learns more about guys as she is attracted to a singer in a local band. She strikes up a relationship with him, which is not without its own pitfalls.

It is through these combined experiences and their repercussions that Bliss learns what it is like to grow up. She must come to terms with her successes and also with the repercussions of her actions. You see, they do not just affect her, but her family and friends. People count on you even if you do not realize it, meaning you cannot just be thinking about yourself as you go through life.

Now this is beginning to sound like a Hallmark movie. Believe me, it isn't, as typical as it sounds. You could probably time the story beats and predict what is going to happen when. Fortunately, this movie has such energy and exuberance about it that is downright infectious. Even the "bad guys" are nice.

The cast are perfect in their roles. There are even moments that deviate slightly from the expected and truly hit home on an emotional level. In particular there is a scene between Ellen Page and Kristen Wiig that goes against the grain and speaks to the heart of the situation that Bliss is in at that moment and the scene is completely unexpected. Then there is the scene shared by Page and Marcia Gay Harden where Bliss opens up to her mother in a moment of unexpected truth. These moments get past the audience's barrier and really bring everything home. It is credit to the cast to have such great chemistry with each other.

Article Author: Chris Beaumont

Christopher Beaumont spends much of his time writing about music and movies when he isn't indulging in them. He is always ready to talk about his favorite form of entertainment and offer up recommendations. Follow: Twitter and Tumblr. Visit: Critical Outcast. …

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