[img]7|left|||no_popup[/img]Stories centered around a) sports and b) underdogs inevitably expose themselves to a climactic dilemma: Do the plucky challengers win that crucial match against seemingly invincible champions or do they build character through a glorious second-place finish? Call it the Robert Frost conundrum; the end result involves taking the predictable road to avoid taking the other predictable road. Sprinkled throughout “Whip It,” as honest a formulation of the sports movie as you could hope for, are a few other familiar numbers; the lie that skulks on the sidelines in wait of the best moment to pounce, the rivalry between aged star and talented rookie, the wild teen in rebellion against conservative but well-intentioned parents. The contrast between dolled-up girls on parade and tough Roller Derby girls would fall into the battle between Squares and Drapers if this were Cry-Baby. But as it happens Whip It, while clearly loving the rock ‘n rumble of the Roller Derby and bored by beauty pageants, doesn’t editorialize so overtly.

This is, as has been understandably trumpeted, Drew Barrymore’s debut feature as a director, although she also reserves for herself a fun little role as the film’s foremost goofball, appropriately nicknamed Smashley Simpson. She is more than capable in both capacities, and her irrepressible energy livens every frame. We can admire the confidence of energetic and tense Roller Derby scenes along with sensitive, grounded drama rooted in the mother-daugher conflict between superb Marcia Gay-Harden and a refreshingly Juno-free Ellen Page as Bliss. Alia Shawkat, as Bliss’s best friend Pash, also elevates the usual hero-sidekick relationship with an understated blend of lightly green-eyed monster and genuine sisterly affection. There is honesty to the characters, however familiar their predicaments and solutions.

Unnecessary, however, are Barrymore and Cross’s occasional detours into sentimental feel-good territory, which are at least harmless compared to a badly envisioned love scene presented with underwater kisses and stripping in a pool. It’s also symptomatic of pleasing the investors (so to speak) that Shauna Cross’s screenplay, based on her book, lays down landmines but doesn’t explode them. Bliss’s father (Stern), for example, lies to both wife and co-workers so he can enjoy a bit of quality time with a football game on the TV set — in the back of his van. Yet other than providing a glib sideways commentary on Bliss’s mother, this is the sort of atypical detail left unexplored in favour of the usual dramatics. One can say this, at least: Awash with sympathy for all its characters, even those whose behaviour rates as arguably antagonistic, the story may cater to the Hollywood bank by pushing the usual buttons, but it doesn’t push the buttons more often than needed and it keeps a heartfelt, rip-snorting integrity. There’s entertainment, here, not whiplash.

Entertainment: ** (out of two)
Craft: ** (out of two)

Whip It. Directed by Drew Barrymore. Written by Shauna Cross, from her novel Derby Girl.Ellen Page, Alia Shawkat, Marcia Gay Harden, Mayhem Kristen Wiig, Drew Barrymore, Juliette Lewis, Landon Pigg, Daniel Stern and Jimmy Fallon. 111 minutes. Rated PG-13 (for sexual content, including crude dialogue and language, and drug material).

Frédérik invites you to discuss Whip It as his blog, www.inkandashes.net.