Drew Barrymore directed and Shauna Cross adapted Whip It from her novel, Derby Girl; Barrymore also appears alongside Ellen Page, Alia Shawkat, Marcia Gay Harden, Kristen Wiig, Juliette Lewis, Jimmy Fallon, Daniel Stern and Landon Pigg. Bliss Cavendar (Page) is a teenager stuck in a rut working at the "Oink Joint" restaurant and entering beauty contests to please her mother (Harden), alongside her friend Pash (Shawkat). They both long for something more than life in Bodeen, Texas. After a trip to Austin, they discover Roller Derby, a sport played on roller skates. Bliss is immediately captivated by its intensity and competitive nature. Lying about her age, she tries out for the "Hurl Scouts" and joins the team as “Babe Ruthless.” Her talent helps the Scouts improve their season, but with a new boyfriend and her parents unaware of her secret life, Bliss’s happiness could easily disappear. Despite some positive reviews, Drew Barrymore's directorial debut didn't do well in theaters. It barely made back its production costs worldwide, suggesting that it might not be very good. The story seems familiar—another coming-of-age film centered around a sports team, and an especially predictable one because the team is an underdog. Considering that it’s a movie focused on female characters, it doesn't seem like something for everyone – or does it? Barrymore felt the marketing was off, believing it was presented as a girls’ sports love story. She was correct; the film was poorly marketed and had a limited release in most countries. That’s unfortunate because Whip It is an enjoyable movie—vibrant, funny, and with some dramatic moments—and accessible to anyone regardless of age or gender. Cross' script feels fresh and doesn't waste time, and the cast all deliver strong performances, from excellent (Page/Gay Harden) to engaging (Shawkat/Lewis/Wiig) and amusing (Stern/Fallon). It’s not flawless; Barrymore isn’t quite like Tony Scott when it comes to action sequences (some of the derby matches are hard to follow), and a little more background for the other "Hurl Scouts" would have been nice. But these are minor issues at what is hoped will be the start of a long directing career for Barrymore. With names like Jabba the Slut, Smashley Simpson and Iron Maven, it’s clear that the film has energy and humor. However, the coming-of-age story shouldn't be overlooked either. 8/10

Source on TMDB