Whip It

Another Ellen Page film. She's one actress I don't mind watching a lot.
She gives another pretty good performance in this film about a girl joining a roller derby league. Yet again, I had no preconceived ideas about this and it turned out to be a pretty endearing film about a girl trying to discover her identity while struggling with a somewhat overbearing mother with high expectations and a friend who, like the main character herself, is doing anything to get out of small town USA.
It's also Drew Barrymore's directorial début, and it honestly showed her to be better behind the camera than in front of it. Other actors include Matthew Wilson (Owen and Luke's older brother), Jimmy Fallon, Marcia Gay Harden, Eve, Juliette Lewis and Drew Barrymore herself. This will by now means revive her career, having done nothing worthwhile since Music and Lyrics in 2007 (if that is what one calls worthwhile).
The quirky-indie feels of this movie was interesting. It's based on a book by Shauna Cross, and I have to admit that this roller derby was actually a fun topic, seeing as I had never heard of it before.
Of course it has a mostly happy ending, so that's usually a plus point. I thought Page's character Bliss Cavendar was pretty well worked out and fun.
I liked how her love interest wasn't made as likeable to the audience as he seemed to her. He is reasonably annoying and somewhat self-centred.

Another 7/10 from me for a fun movie that can easily be watched more than once.