Under the Radar

Whip It

For Drew Barrymore's directorial debut, she's not getting enough credit. Ellen Page is definitely one of her generation's best actors and I look forward to her next film. Whip It is the story of a young woman that feels confined by her mother's dreams and expectations for her. She wants out of the little town she's in, but this otherwise tired cliche has an added vibrancy not often seen these days. She sees a poster for roller derby that's held in another town and is immediately intrigued. Her mother wants her to get into the best schools and win beauty pagents. Marcia Gay Harden is perfectly cast as the mom. Heck, the casting is perfect all around. I was most impressed by Jimmy Fallon, as I really didn't see "him" for once!

I don't really know why this film has had such low Box Office returns, as it's a very good film. I think that when the DVD comes out, its sales will be quite respectable. I give it a solid 9/10 stars.