Julian RuncanWhip It: Girls Girls Girls... On Skates
June 21st 2010 17:22
Whip It is a fun movie that purely succeeds because of its nostalgic charm. It is a coming of age tale that has a somewhat timeless quality about it, and could be set anytime in the last thirty years. It's a tale about femininity, friendship, and loyalty. Sure it takes frequently traveled paths, but it does so on skates in a cute outfit.
As Drew Barrymore's directorial debut, the film manages to harness a lot of the energy of the sport it pretends to be about. The film manages to avoid being set in any obvious time, allowing a fairly wide age range the ability to relate to their adolescence. The actresses are believable and strong in their own way, but manage to showcase many different perspectives on womanhood.
As well as the tone, the casting of the film was handled really well. From the stars to the tertiary characters, everyone felt like they brought something special to the table, and no one felt replaceable. Some of the familiar story bits could have been shortened up, but the film didn't specifically lag anywhere for too long.
Whip It doesn't really give us anything new, but it is far more refreshing then something like Coyote Ugly. Even the repetitive but necessary "having the talk with my parents" scene and "me and my best friend get into a fight" scene are tolerable, and these forced moments still feel genuine. This isn't groundbreaking cinema but it is a fun, nostalgic ride.
8.0/10
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