Whip It! (Drew Barrymore, 2009)
There is so much to like about this. It gives the impression that Barrymore has really learnt something from the director's she's worked with. No, it's not like she shows the greatest flair, and there are a lot of tried and true tropes and cliches, and more than a small debt to Bend it Like Beckham, but it has great moments, strong characters, and it works.
Page is great. I feel like if I had a teenage daughter I wouldn't hesitate to show her this as a positive role model. Actually, all the women are pretty great, even the mother, who has some beautiful moments. Wiig is really fantastic, and Juliette Lewis is a lot of fun. Barrymore cast herself in a pretty minor role, and downplays it. The love interest is really refreshing - he's pretty unattractive, although he does have a sort of rock-star-chic going on, and the way that sub-plot is handled is pretty great.
It's not gonna change the world. It's not the best debut ever. But it is surprisingly strong, and I don't think I stopped smiling once. Worth your time.
B