Whip It (2009)

Featured Audience Ratings

• John M

  
  I completely loved this movie. Ellen Page is one of the best young actresses out there! A fun ensemble cast help tells the story of the misunderstood teen who finds her escape in roller derby. Drew Barrymore directorial debut simply rocks!

• MisterYoda ?

  
  three stars

• Sam B

  
  Despite the barrage of plot cliches and numerous jokes that fall flat, Whip It is saved by another brilliant Ellen Page performance, as well as a good soundtrack and some interesting direction here and there (courtesy of first-time director Drew Barrymore)

• Drake T

  
  At times it feels like a classic fairytale told in a contemporary setting. It's so full of charm and enthusiasm that you often forget the cliches of the whole "adolescent finding herself" storyline. Barrymore's debut into direction couldn't have really ended… More
  At times it feels like a classic fairytale told in a contemporary setting. It's so full of charm and enthusiasm that you often forget the cliches of the whole "adolescent finding herself" storyline. Barrymore's debut into direction couldn't have really ended better.

• Jeff "

  
  I didn't expect much from Whip it, I must admit that I was surprised that I enjoyed it. Directed by Drew Barrymore, this film is surprisingly good, funny and entertaining. Considering that this is directed by Drew Barrymore (an actress whom I never really was fond of), this film… More
  I didn't expect much from Whip it, I must admit that I was surprised that I enjoyed it. Directed by Drew Barrymore, this film is surprisingly good, funny and entertaining. Considering that this is directed by Drew Barrymore (an actress whom I never really was fond of), this film is fairly accomplished. Ellen Page is great in the film, and shes come a long way since her days in Juno ( a film that I've despised and found it extremely overrated) Page is simply getting better with every role she's taking and Whip it and Inception proves it. Whip It tells the story about a girl who wants to find an outlet of which she wants to belong. She is forced to participate in beauty pageants, but it's clear her heart is elsewhere. She one day sees a bunch of roller blading girls that are distribute flyers to a roller derby. She attends and falls in love with what she sees. She starts roller blading and tries out for the team. Throughout the film she finally finds something she truly enjoys. What I love the most about this film is that it has charm. The humour is whimsical and the characters are likeable. Whip It is a fun comedy that will appeal to anyone. I thoroughly enjoyed this film, and this one of Ellen Page's best roles. Considering that Drew Barrymore made this film, this is very good, I did not expect the film to be this good, but it was. Whip It along with Adventureland is one of the best coming of age comedies there is. The only difference is that the cast here are slightly better than in Adventureland. Whip It will most likely surprise you, as it did to me.

• Curtis L

  
  I'm not a fan of sports movies, but this one was pretty great. Roller derby in general is neat, and for some reason I like Ellen Page more and more every time I see her in a movie. Good story. I liked how there was a happy ending in the way that is realistic, and not in the way… More
  I'm not a fan of sports movies, but this one was pretty great. Roller derby in general is neat, and for some reason I like Ellen Page more and more every time I see her in a movie. Good story. I liked how there was a happy ending in the way that is realistic, and not in the way that all other predictable sports movies end.

• Unknown H

  
  I was not convinced I would like this film, but despite a few irritating segments overall I thought it was witty and original, taking on the fundamentals of the cult of roller derby in a middle of nowhere town in Texas. Again Ellen Page thrives in her usual role as an indie teenager… More
  I was not convinced I would like this film, but despite a few irritating segments overall I thought it was witty and original, taking on the fundamentals of the cult of roller derby in a middle of nowhere town in Texas. Again Ellen Page thrives in her usual role as an indie teenager waiting to break free of her shackles. The more I see of her work the more I appreciate her as an actress and an artist, making her roles so realistic that they are hard to disbelieve. A good start for Drew Barrymore's career behind the camera although she also thrived on screen in this one too. A soon to be classic with a good soundtrack and a nice vibe.

• James A

  
  Its your typical cheesy feel good sports movie that has been made a million times over.

• Film C

  
  I absolutely love this movie, its amazing, its hilarious and really worth the watch, its a good coming of age film thats just brilliantly written and wonderfully acted that you just cant help and full in love with this movie. Drew Barrymore made a fantastic directional debut with a… More
  I absolutely love this movie, its amazing, its hilarious and really worth the watch, its a good coming of age film thats just brilliantly written and wonderfully acted that you just cant help and full in love with this movie. Drew Barrymore made a fantastic directional debut with a fantastic movie, really worth the watch with a great cast and great comic humour!

• Spencer S

  
  More than just a teen comedy, it's also a hipster revolution tucked inside a coming of age story with a killer soundtrack and some of the best actors working in Hollywood today.

• Justin Y

  
  Drew Barrymore's <i>Whip It</i>, which stems from Shauna Cross' novel, whips Ellen Page into shape and mildly entertains.<p>At nearly 1 hour and 45 minutes, the predictable story is a mixed bag of fun and drama. Yes, there is the roller derby, but there… More
  Drew Barrymore's <i>Whip It</i>, which stems from Shauna Cross' novel, whips Ellen Page into shape and mildly entertains.<p>At nearly 1 hour and 45 minutes, the predictable story is a mixed bag of fun and drama. Yes, there is the roller derby, but there are many parts between these portions that are tedious and uneventful, although this is where most of the meat to the story lies.</p><p>The roller derby segments aren't as big as the title makes it seem, which is a disappointment because these are the most entertaining and enjoyable moments of the film. The matches aren't intense, or extensively violent for that matter, but the characters associated with the league are a pleasure to watch. As for the rules, there is enough high level explanation to grasp the sport, but there isn't much in the way of details.</p><p>The casting and acting are a huge positive as Ellen Page has no problem taking the lead. The cast for the Hurl Cats derby team are also a delight. The only problem is that they are underdeveloped and not utilized enough outside of the derby.</p><p><i>Whip It</i> is a long ways away from a bad movie. It just lacks consistent entertainment value from start to finish to really become a masterpiece.</p>

• Michael G

  
  Whip It is more predictable than The Hulk on PCP, but nowhere nearly as entertaining. The roller derby scenes were kind of exciting but that's about it. Andrew Wilson (the 3rd Wilson brother and one of the few high points of this movie) has a line about celebrating mediocrity and… More
  Whip It is more predictable than The Hulk on PCP, but nowhere nearly as entertaining. The roller derby scenes were kind of exciting but that's about it. Andrew Wilson (the 3rd Wilson brother and one of the few high points of this movie) has a line about celebrating mediocrity and that's exactly what Whip It does. It throws a somewhat decent cast in front of you but gives you very little incentive to give a shit. The story falls apart during the predictable last act and Drew Barrymore's direction is right on par with her character -- dopey and ignorable. I see why she went with a story like this for her debut, but Whip It was just a big pile of ehh. More drinking game fodder than anything...

• Jennifer D

  
  I read the script a few months back at my internship and HAD to see it after that. I really didn't think it was all that bad! First of all, I got a huge kick out of seeing bits of Austin (where I'm from) but I think it was translated over to film rather well! I love me some… More
  I read the script a few months back at my internship and HAD to see it after that. I really didn't think it was all that bad! First of all, I got a huge kick out of seeing bits of Austin (where I'm from) but I think it was translated over to film rather well! I love me some fast paced action so I was all for it! And Daniel Stern (whom I adore) and Marcia Gay Harden (whom I also adore!) were fantastic. And when is Ellen Page not fantastic, please, I'd like to know. :)

• Cynthia S

  
  Oh that Drew Barrymore can do anything...

• Julie B

  
  This was an amusing way to spend a few hours.

• Thomas J

  
  Cute teeny movie.... more for girls. Nothing great but it was pass some time and maybe even laugh a couple good times.

• Cassie H

  
  Great movie. Drew Barrymore did a good job on directing this movie. It was really good & Ellen Page was great in this movie as was Drew Barrymore & Kristen Wiig :) I really enjoyed this one :)

• KJ P

  
  Whip It is the kind of movie that keeps you going on a ride of laughter and emotion. A story of a girl roller-skating could not have been told any different than the way it was told here. This movie has loads of heart and soul and I will never forget how moving a small story of a girl… More
  Whip It is the kind of movie that keeps you going on a ride of laughter and emotion. A story of a girl roller-skating could not have been told any different than the way it was told here. This movie has loads of heart and soul and I will never forget how moving a small story of a girl roller-skating can become. Amazing!

• Derek A

  
  I really don't care what anybody says... I loved this movie! I had no expectations for it, other than complete admiration for Ellen Page, and I was not let down. The story centers around a confused, outcast teenager coming into her own when she falls in love with the physical… More
  I really don't care what anybody says... I loved this movie! I had no expectations for it, other than complete admiration for Ellen Page, and I was not let down. The story centers around a confused, outcast teenager coming into her own when she falls in love with the physical sport of women's roller derby.<p>Drew Barrymore makes her directorial debut with this light coming-of-age drama. Barrymore perfectly tugs at your emotions, evoking feelings of genuine happiness... it's hard not to be charmed over. Ellen Page is one of the best rising actresses, and she proves it here. Yes it was a little cliched and formulaic at times, but hell, this is one chick flick I would watch multiple times. An indie sleeper hit of 2009, check it out...

• Dean L

  
  I thoroughly enjoyed this film of many levels. First let me say that while I have loved Ellen Page as an actress since "Hard Candy" she has really played a similar character in every film. While this character has some of the same cynicism and wit it is not as overly… More
  I thoroughly enjoyed this film of many levels. First let me say that while I have loved Ellen Page as an actress since "Hard Candy" she has really played a similar character in every film. While this character has some of the same cynicism and wit it is not as overly played in its bite which gave itself over to something more relatable. A movie for not just young women who look to find themselves in a world of predefined roles, but a call to arms for anyone who seeks independence outside the normative paths before us. Ms. Barrymore did a great job of direction and this little sleeper gem has earned a spot in my heart, It had power, passion, punch (too much alliteration yet?) and panache (tough:)! While it will not blow you away it will make you think as well as a film to be simply enjoyed. In addition to a great performance from Ms. Page, Barrymore was a delight, Kristen Wiig continues her winning streak of performances and the inimitable Juliette Lewis was perfectly cast. I even found myself not overly annoyed by Jimmy Fallon :) Give this one a shot. You will not be disappointed.

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