Iffy for 13+
Roller derby dramedy mixes girl power and teen angst.
What Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that this coming-of-age sports dramedy -- which stars Juno's Ellen Page and was directed by perennial teen fave Drew Barrymore -- offers empowering messages for girls, especially those with unconventional interests/hobbies. Although the main character lies to her parents and hurts her friends, she faces the consequences of her behavior and learns from her experiences. Expect plenty of aggressive skating and confrontations during the movie's fast-paced roller derby scenes, as well as some strong language, underage drinking, and sexual references (including a scene in which a teen couple kisses and gets mostly undressed underwater).
- Families can talk about how the movie portrays underage sex and drinking. Does it seem realistic to you? Are the consequences believable?
- Why do you think Bliss feels the need to lie to her family about what she's doing? Is that a realistic take on parent-teen relationships?
- Why is it that in many movies, it's the unconventional teen who pushes the limit?
The good stuff
-
Messages: The movie celebrates unconventional girls who may not be interested in traditionally female hobbies and are longing to find other ways to express themselves. Some of the "toughness" is heavy-handed posturing, but a lot of it is played for laughs. Even the "villain" isn't necessarily a bad person -- she's just a tough girl looking to win. As typical of this genre, parents and their kids start off completely not understanding each other but find common ground through communication and acceptance. A mentor reminds the main character to appreciate her family. On the downside, there's some stereotypical treatment of small-town life.
-
Role models: Bliss lies to her parents and hurts her best friend, but she ultimately faces the consequences of her decisions with grace. She's also fundamentally a kind-hearted person looking to cement her own identity in a world where girls' images are largely defined by beauty. Her parents at first come off as being close-minded, but they have a deep well of compassion toward their daughter and eventually embrace her uniqueness.
What to watch for
-
Violence: Roller derby is very aggressive, and the film showcases plenty of bruising, bone-crunching action. Characters are elbowed, kicked, and pushed around, and they sometimes end up bloodied. There's also some outright fighting, and trash talk is a common occurrence on the track.
-
Sex: Teens kiss and make out, and one couple goes all the way -- no sensitive body parts are shown, but you see them stripping to their skivvies underwater in a swimming pool and later holding each other out of the water (bare shoulders showing). The girl later discusses the experience euphemistcally with her mother. References to penis size.
-
Language: Fairly frequent use of language like "jackass," "hell," "s--t," "bitch," "screw," ass," "balls," and "goddammit." There's also one use of "f--k," and a character gives someone the finger.
-
Consumerism: Brands/logos seen on screen include Google, Coleman, Zenith, and Barbie -- though all play fairly minor roles.
-
Drinking, drugs and smoking: Some underage drinking. A teen girl gets drunk at a party and makes out with a random guy before throwing up; later, a teen is arrested after being caught with a drink in public. One character (not a teen) does a kegstand. A mother hides her smoking from her daughter. A father drinks beer while watching sports and lets his teen daughter take a (big) sip. A mother mistakes a marijuana bong for a vase.
Fan Reviews provided by
4
Whip It by jimmoco
I have always been a roller derby fan, and this film is very enjoyable and fast moving. The movie belongs to Ellen Page and Marcia Gay Harden. They are both national treasures. Very heartwarming and a good directorial debut for Drew Barrymore.
4
Sleeper by Diamondgirlmovies
This was one of those movies that didn't get the ad time like the others but I'm thinking it will be a cult favorite one day. It's a quirky roller derby movie that probably should have been made back in the late 70's or early 80's but wasn't. For anyone who feels kind of quirky and doesn't fit in, this is the movie for you. The storyline was okay but the multiple talented cast wasn't used to their full talents. I think everyone was underrated in their part in the film. I think this one was a learning experience for Drew Barrymore for sure. If you like Ellen Page and Drew, you'd probably like this one. I liked it in a campy kind of way. CFG
5
Great job by Barrymore by fungolfgirl
What a great movie to go see this weekend. Barrymore proved once again that if you make it, make it good. Loved the film, the action, the acting, the new faces, all of it. Saw this with my teenager and she loved it as well. Good lesson for all to learn... and I was not dissapointed at all! The reviews by the newspaper call it "lackluster" which makes me think, were they in the right theater? I wont ruin the movie for ya, just go and enjoy it...
5
afdafsd by punkfangrl4
This movie was fun, interesting and inspiring. The style of the movie was entertaining. I love the characters. The quirkiness of the derby girls was great. Very true to the book. The skate parts were action packed and entertaining. MUST SEE!
4
Whip It whip it good by jimjoel49
Ellen Page is one of those actresses that bring magic to whatever role she is playing. She steals the show in this feel good movie about coming of age. The movie is fun and heartwarming. Drew Barrymore did not do a great job directing but the supporting cast made up for it with great acting.
I grew up with Roller Derby like the Bay Bombers. Drew did not capture the true nature of Roller Derby. I liked this move that has a good message and was fun to watch.
4
Babe Ruthless and the Hurl Scouts by Daydream
Drew Barrymore's debut as a director is a film that reaches out to those finding themselves in this world; for those who should follow what their gut tells them all along. Indie chick Ellen Page, aka Babe Ruthless, is from a blip of a town where beauty pageants (the Blue Bonnet) are the "in" thing to do. After taking her mom to a head shop in downtown Austin she catches sight (more like stares in awe) of the roller derby girls, who seem to be floating on clouds and part of their own powerful little world. She finds her calling as well as a second family with plenty of crack ups, fun, and heartwarming moments. This movie really makes you want to watch roller derby or try out for the team next tuesday. : ) what would your roller derby name be? (B+)
Only downside for me was jimmy fallon.
5
Go see it! by eureka31
This movie was sweet, funnier than I expected, and very well cast. Drew Barrymore did an excellent job with directing this movie. Ellen Page is endearing and cute as a button. Her parents were likeable and realistic. I also like that it was an empowering movie for girls and women. I highly recommend this movie to everyone! Thoroughly enjoyable!
5
Drew BARRYMORE & Cast totally WHIP IT! by Javajive
This movie is Golden and it brought back alot of treasure memories of one of my all time favorite Sports ROLLER DERBY: a heavy Jam-WHIP IT Classic skating sports (started in 40's) that was the ultimate craze during their biggest & famous limelight era the "60's & 70's" Icon ROLLER DERBY teams like the SF Bay Bombers and NY Pioneers etc.,. took us Derby fans on a ride will never forget since childhood. They were skate Warrior's to me: Roller Derby stars like Joanie Weston, Peanuts-Meyer's, Delores Tucker, Roman, O'Connell & Butler of the legendary SF Bay Bombers to name a few and Villanous She-Demon Ann Calvello are amongst some of the finest "jet" speed ROLLER DERBY Icons that trailblazed the Skating areans across the USA/the famous SF Kezar Stadium I saw them a 100 times plus! Awesome...'so it was highly wonderful to see this WHIP IT movie/the Drew's Cast shined and hope their will be "more" on the Classic Sports of ROLLER DERBY because their Stories needs to be told!
5
We liked it! by msgeebee
I took my 13 year old grandson to see it and we were both surprised. It was a great movie. It was age approriate for him and kept my interest too. Very good movie and worth the price of the ticket.
5
great movie by lovestalentmoviefan
everyone was awesome. enjoyed how even though Bliss needed to find herself,she still acknowledged her parents wisdom and apologized for rudeness. and they didnt do the mom totally turning around thing. there was compromise where compromise worked. and when Bliss and jerk boy had their scene,it was tasteful and implied not offensive or showing at all. AND it portrayed her regret. important for kids to see. will spend more money on this one. supporting cast just as good as leads. i love kristin wiig