The scarcity of Roller Derby movies (does anybody even remember Raquel Welch in “Kansas City Bomber”?) is addressed by the ever-vigilant Drew Barrymore in her new film, “Whip It,” a hip-checking, knee-bruising comedy.
Barrymore directs the film and plays a supporting role; the lead is taken by Ellen Page, the tiny “Juno” star. At first glance, Page looks as though she’d be squashed by the prototypical Derby Amazons, but speed and pluck allow her to survive.
Despite the novel backdrop, “Whip It” is a comfortably familiar tale. Page plays Bliss Cavendar, a high school senior in sleepy Bodeen, Texas. Just down the road in Austin, the Roller Derby gals are holding tryouts for the new season — and Bliss is bored enough with her life to take a chance.
The movie chronicles the sudden shift in Bliss’ life, from reluctant beauty-queen contestant to roller-skating brawler. The beauty-queen stuff comes from her mother (Marica Gay Harden, in pro form), who just wants her daughter to be a demure debutante.
The script is by a former Roller Derby athlete, Shauna Cross, whose RD name was Maggie Mayhem. Bliss, for her part, takes Babe Ruthless as her nom de skate.
The backstage stuff feels authentic enough. Everything else is formula, from Bliss’ supportive, passive dad (Daniel Stern) to her puzzled best friend (Alia Shawkat).
There’s a sympathetic teammate on the Hurl Scouts (Kristen Wiig, from “Saturday Night Live”) and a mystifyingly competitive rival named Iron Maven (Juliette Lewis).
Drew Barrymore relegates herself to slapstick duty, while her “Fever Pitch” co-star Jimmy Fallon does an extended cameo as the track announcer.
Many scenes are stolen by Andrew Wilson, the lesser-known brother of Owen and Luke (who achieved a minor level of immortality as “Futureman” in “Bottle Rocket”). He plays the bearded coach of the Hurl Scouts, a slightly fried hippie with a serious approach to the sport.
This is Barrymore’s first film as a director and it’s consistent with the films she’s produced: hang-loose vibe, girl-power message and a reminder that romance (even with a, like, totally cute dude in a band) is not necessarily the goal of a young woman’s life.
It’s all very cheerful and not really much of a movie.
“Whip It” does serve as a vehicle for Ellen Page, a gifted actress who radiates intelligence, if not a great deal of warmth. (As opposed to Barrymore, who conveys warmth in abundance.)
Page makes you believe she could survive a few spins around the Roller Derby track — and, given her size, that’s an acting feat in itself.
“Whip It” ½
Ellen Page plays a small-town Texas teen whose life changes when she joins an Austin Roller Derby squad. Drew Barrymore directs in her usual mood of hang-loose girl power, and even though this isn’t much of a movie, it creates a feel-good atmosphere in spots.
Rated: PG-13 for language, subject matter
Showing: Alderwood, Cinebarre Mountlake Terrace, Everett, Galaxy Monroe, Marysville, Metro, Pacific Place, Thornton Stadium, Woodinville, Cascade Mall
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