Forum Views ()
Forum Replies ()
Read more with google mobile :
"Whip It" remarkable directing debut for Barrymore
Yahoo!
My Yahoo!
Mail
More Yahoo! Services
Account Options
New User? Sign Up
Sign In
Help
Yahoo! Search
web search
Home
Singapore
Asia Pacific
World
Business
Entertainment
Sports
Technology
Top Stories
Most Popular
Asia Pacific
World
"Whip It" remarkable directing debut for Barrymore
Reuters - Thursday, September 17
Send
IM Story
Print
Director and cast member Drew Barrymore attends a news conference for "Whip It" during the 34th Toronto International Film Festival on September 15, 2009. REUTERS/Mario Anzuoni
By Peter Brunette
TORONTO - With "Whip It," her remarkable debut as a director, Drew Barrymore proves that she is just as perky, quirky and talented behind the camera as in front of it.
Set in the exciting but less-familiar world of women's roller-derby racing, the film, which also stars the ever-delightful Ellen Page in her first role since "Juno," should perform exceptionally well for Fox Searchlight domestically and perhaps do even better overseas, given its exotic setting.
The fact that "Whip It" clicks on so many levels -- heartwarming family story, rough-and-tumble display of grrl power and a secondary but tender and convincing romance -- also can't hurt. The film, which premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival, opens October 2.
Page is Bliss Cavendar, a pretty, intelligent girl from small-town Texas who longs for the freedom that beckons from the hip big city of Austin. Her mail-carrier mother entertains dreams of her carrying off huge trophies in local beauty pageants, and her Milquetoast father hides out watching football games to avoid his wife's wrath. One day, Bliss happens upon some fliers advertising an all-girl roller derby, and she's hooked. Knowing that her loving but strait-laced parents would never allow her to involve herself in such a dangerous, working-class and dead-end activity, she begins leading a double life that, after lots of complications, finally catches up with her. It probably won't be much of a spoiler if it's revealed that everything turns out well in the end.
This familiar yet simultaneously different heartwarming tale of misunderstandings, smothering love and ultimate triumph is loaded with cliches, as might be expected. But somehow writer Shauna Cross manages to inflect the story with fresh twists, most of which come from showing girls do what only boys have been allowed to do onscreen in the past.
So, for example, when Bliss and her rock-band boyfriend reconcile after a series of misunderstandings, it's exactly what we expect, but newly empowered Bliss, no fool for love, makes sure the relationship is re-established on her terms, not his. And in this movie, the gross-out humor is the newly won province of the girls, not the boys. The biggest surprise is the astonishing amount of violence that the girls wreak upon one another virtually nonstop in the many competitions that are brilliantly choreographed. They show off their bruises to one another like badges of honor. Of course, the film only is meant as an innocent entertainment, but somehow it seems more than that, like the start of some fundamental gender shift in the movies, especially when Bliss explicitly attacks her mother for trying to foist her "1950s idea of womanhood" on her. These are women who don't want to be corporate lawyers, they want to kick ass.
Page, whose derby moniker is Babe Ruthless, is predictably adorable and somehow seems more like a real person than the sometimes cartoonish, overly quippy smart-aleck she memorably played in "Juno." The acting is top notch throughout, again proving the old saw about actors who turn director being particularly attuned to performance. Barrymore and Juliette Lewis are especially delightful.
Send
IM Story
Print
Related Articles
Spike Lee, Robert De Niro in New York frame of mind Reuters - Thursday, September 17
Michael Caine on warpath in "Harry Brown" Reuters - Thursday, September 17
Mary Travers of "Peter, Paul and Mary" dies, age 72 Reuters - Thursday, September 17
China's Ai Weiwei: artist with politics on mind AFP - Thursday, September 17
Mary Travers of Peter, Paul and Mary dead at 72 AP - Thursday, September 17
News Search
Top Stories
Implanted tooth helps blind US woman recover sight
Nanoparticles could pose threat to humans: scientists
Ozone hole smaller in 2009 than 2008: WMO
British unemployment hits 14-year high
US recession 'likely over,' economy weak: Bernanke
More Top Stories »
ADVERTISEMENT
Most Popular
Most Viewed
Most Recommended
Iraq shoe-thrower flies out after release
Ozone hole smaller in 2009 than 2008: WMO
Remains of Jesus-era synagogue found in Israel
'Dirty Dancing' star Patrick Swayze dead at 57
Obama lashes out at Wall Street
More Most Viewed »
Poignant final farewell as Jackson laid to rest
Remains of Jesus-era synagogue found in Israel
More Most Recommended »
Elsewhere on Yahoo!
Financial news on Yahoo! Finance
Stars and latest movies
Best travel destinations
More on Yahoo! News
Home
Singapore
Asia Pacific
World
Business
Entertainment
Sports
Technology
Top Stories
Most Popular
Subscribe to our news feeds
Top StoriesMy Yahoo!RSS
» More news feeds | What are news feeds?
Also on Yahoo
Answers
Groups
Mail
Messenger
Mobile
Search
Finance
Movies
Sports
Games
» All Yahoo! Services
Site Highlights
Singapore
Full Coverage
Most Popular
Asia Entertainment
Photos
Copyright © 2009 Yahoo! Southeast Asia Pte. Ltd. (Co. Reg. No. 199700735D). All Rights Reserved.
Terms of Service |
Privacy Policy |
Community |
Intellectual Property Rights Policy |
Help
Other News on Thursday, 17 September 2009 Iran opposition leaders to attend anti-Israel rally
Barroso wins second term as EU commission chief
Spain's Zara to start selling its clothes over the Internet
Ozone hole smaller in 2009 than 2008: WMO
Some 750,000 paedophiles prowling Internet: UN
Israel rejects independent inquiry into Gaza war
Algerian appeals sentence over Paris metro bombs
British unemployment hits 14-year high
Electric cars star at Frankfurt fair
IAEA's poor nations split on Iran's attack ban bid
| International
|
Iran will not tolerate threats during talks: aide
Iraqi Green Zone attack suspects released
U.S. keeps Venezuela, Bolivia atop narcotics list
| International
|
China's Lenovo unveils homegrown smartphone
China has 63 mln Internet businesspeople: reports
Iraqi official: Talks with Syria over attacks fail
Iraq leader seeks investment as rockets fall
| International
|
Gunmen kill 10 patients at Mexico rehab clinic
| International
|
Iran replaces reformist cleric for annual sermon
Somali rebels call for foreign reinforcements
| International
|
Europe's farmers dump milk to protest low prices
| International
|
Don't leave poor behind, World Bank chief tells G20
| International
|
Iran says ready for any possible gasoline sanction
Emmy Countdown: Workers busy at Nokia Theatre
No sign of settlement deal after U.S.-Israel talks
Behind the snags, drama, hype: Meet the Boeing 787
| Technology
|
EU in informal talks on Microsoft, Yahoo deal: source
| Technology
|
Calif. courts shuttered Wednesday to save money
Kansas senators drop roadblock of Obama nominees
US ambassador walks streets of Kabul
Comcast plans to bring TV shows to your phone
| Technology
|
Officials assure residents about jail contract
Rights group: Free Myanmar prisoners before polls
Chinese envoy holds talks in North Korea
NC crash kills ex-White House photog Kightlinger
Military van shot near US gold mine in Indonesia
Ohio woman arrested for spanking stranger's child
SKorea: Any US-NKorea talks must deal with nukes
Police foil 'terror' attacks in China's Xinjiang
Court sets execution date for DC sniper mastermind
Japan's new leader vows economic, diplomacy shift
Funeral held for former Blagojevich fundraiser
Colo. man denies link to terror plot after NY trip
Hatoyama elected Japan's leader, names Cabinet
Senator's plan joins heated U.S. healthcare debate
FBI Director says no imminent danger from NYC case
Sweden promised accessed to suspects in Pakistan
Australian cat strays 2,400 miles, returns home
China tire row need not spark trade war: US official
Taiwan Mobile buys cable TV firm in billion-dollar deal
Air France holds talks with Japan Airlines: source
Nissan launches 2 new cars in India
Rain swears off "scary, horrible" dieting
China state companies invest $35.7B abroad in 2008
Japan chip makers agree on deal, cash infusion
Beyonce sued by Abercrombie & Fitch over fragrance
| Entertainment
|
Patrick Swayze made peace with death, memoir shows
| Entertainment
|
Japan chip makers agree on merger, cash infusion
Pakistani stocks end on highest closing this year
Leno show loses 7 million viewers on second night
| Entertainment
|
Beyonce sued by Abercrombie & Fitch over fragrance
TV's `Newlywed Game' features first gay couple
Al Jazeera breaks Arab TV taboo by showing Israeli team
Ben Hur spectacular premieres in London
German writer Enzensberger wins Danish prize
Emmy Countdown: Workers busy at Nokia Theatre
For director Jason Reitman, risky films pay off
President's opinion of Kanye West sparks debate
Danish daily prints soldier's book despite protest
EU in informal talks on Microsoft, Yahoo deal: source
Obama: No decision yet on Afghanistan troop count
Two EU cars attacked with Molotov cocktails in Kosovo
Murdoch's Sky Italia sues Berlusconi's Mediaset
Nanoparticles could pose threat to humans: scientists
Gazans welcome UN war crimes report
Bright start for Japan's new PM as economy improves
| International
|
Comcast plans to bring TV shows to your phone
Biden confident in stable Iraq amid rocket attacks
Iraq leader seeks investment as rockets fall
Israel defense chief: Iran not an existential threat
| International
|
Iraqis venture out near Ramadan end, violence drops
PC sales down 2.4 pct in second quarter: IDC
Australian charged with raping daughter for 30 years
| International
|
Google acquires Web security firm reCAPTCHA
Behind the snags, drama, hype: Meet the Boeing 787
Teens cleared of plotting UK Columbine massacre
| International
|
Indonesia police believe key militant dead: sources
| International
|
Honduras candidates back negotiated solution to coup
| International
|
China's cancer villages bear witness to economic boom
| International
|
FBI question Colorado man linked to NY raid
US envoy confident of closing Guantanamo on time
More bones found at US kidnap suspect's home: police
Transcript: Copilot pleaded for chopper to fly
Man accused of trading dad's car for $50 in crack
Pa. man gets 8 years for sex with Russian orphans
Australia intercepts boat carrying 48 asylum-seekers
Indonesia police raid Java house; 3 dead
US military deaths in Afghanistan region at 757
McHugh confirmed as Army secretary
Rockets vie in simulated lunar landing contest
Canada says won't review Nortel-Ericsson deal
| Technology
|
US-Japan ties to 'stand test' of change: Clinton
A look at who's in, out for Kennedy seat
Clinton pledges to boost Bangladesh trade
Police says shots fired during raid in Indonesia
China invests $750 mln in Mauritius
Indonesia police attack suspected militant hideout
China could undermine US military power in Pacific: Gates
Japanese PM pledges big change
Top UN official in Sri Lanka to push for rights probe
Bank of Japan maintains stimulative policy
WRAPUP 1-Tension grows over South Korea rate policy
Lindsay Lohan's brief: make Ungaro 'cooler'
S.Korea state think-tank calls for liquidity control
Indian firm eyes European electric car market
S.Korea needs macro-, micro-policy for property -official
S.Korea economy faces high uncertainty -fin min
Taiwan dollar at fresh 3-mth high on econ hopes
Seoul shares hit near-15-mth high on foreign buying
S.Korea T-bonds fall on retail sales data
S.Korea dept store sales jump in Aug
Whip It remarkable directing debut for Barrymore
| Entertainment
|
Burt Reynolds hopes his fight with drugs helps others
| Entertainment
|
Michael Caine on warpath in "Harry Brown"
Mary Travers of "Peter, Paul and Mary" dies, age 72
Beyonce sued by Abercrombie & Fitch over fragrance
| Entertainment
|
Gene Simmons promises high-impact Boom from Kiss
| Entertainment
|
China's Ai Weiwei: artist with politics on mind
Teen spirit elevates Youth in Revolt
| Entertainment
|
Website offers emails from beyond the grave
Blast during counter-terror operation in Indonesia
Fashionistas ask: Crisis? what crisis?
Michael Caine on warpath in Harry Brown
| Entertainment
|
Spike Lee, Robert De Niro in New York frame of mind
| Entertainment
|
Mary Travers of Peter, Paul and Mary dead at 72
Sony Pictures takes side of Defendor
| Entertainment
|
"Whip It" remarkable directing debut for Barrymore
Teen spirit elevates "Youth in Revolt"
Mary Travers of Peter, Paul and Mary dies, age 72
| Entertainment
|
Paul McCartney voted Americans' favorite Beatle
| Entertainment
|
Mall magnate, Pacers co-owner Mel Simon dies at 82
Suicide attack kills 6 Italian troops, 10 Afghans
Somali rebels issue demands to free French hostage
Karzai defends Afghan vote, blast hits Italian troops
| International
|
Taiwan lab develops panda robot
Russian airline Aeroflot plans 2,000 job cuts
U.S. military shuts largest detainee camp in Iraq
| International
|
Implanted tooth helps blind US woman recover sight
China anniversary puts security jitters on show
| International
|
Six Italian soldiers 'killed in Kabul attack'
Karzai defends Afghan vote
3 bodies in Kabul blast on NATO convoy: AFP reporter
Huge blast heard in Afghan capital: witnesses
Iran Guards warn against protests during anti-Israel rallies
| International
|
Biden presses Iraqis to agree on oil
| International
|
Goldstone rejects bias charges over UN Gaza report
Iran says venue for nuclear talks not fixed
Air raid on refugees kills 87 in Yemen: sources
| International
|
Afghan paralysis over fraud-hit election
Suicide car bombers hit main AU base in Somalia
| International
|
Skype founders sue eBay, investors
| Technology
|
Twitter funding would value it at $1 billion: report
| Technology
|
The Nation's weather
Lab technician arrested in slaying of Yale student
Virtual reality used for blind to map real world
| Technology
|
Italy antitrust chief warns Google of heavy fines
| Technology
|
Ark. football player, 16, gets his 'last game'
Ebay petitions EU to stop blocks on Internet trade
| Technology
|
Fed judge expected to rule on G-20 protest suit
Terror mastermind Noordin 'dead in Indonesia raid'
White House holds off on decisions on Afghanistan
A look at health care plans in Congress
Panel begins inquiry into financial meltdown
Deep divisions over long-awaited health care plan
House bill would kill subsidized student loans
New health proposal is industry's favorite so far
Japan's new PM to tackle record jobless rate
Japan's new govt to review airline turnaround plan
Japan's new finance head faces tough economic road
SKorean firm wins bln dlr Saudi power plant deal
Emmy Awards faces conundrum as best watched by less
| Entertainment
|
Malaysian manufacturing down 22.4 pct in July
S.Korea fin min says not time to raise interest rate
French ship builder eyes Asia naval defense market
Terror mastermind Noordin dead: Indonesia police
Despite stroke, humorist Keillor not slowing down
S.Korea fin min says won's rise natural on funds
Press group urges Rudd to resist Indonesia "blackmail"
"I'm a born stage animal": opera star Waltraud Meier
Four suspected militants killed in Indonesian raid
The Police staying off the beat: drummer
At Gaza's only spa, the well-heeled find relief
Boy's films confront Down's syndrome stigma in Serbia
The manga that poured French wine into Asia
Artists take over plush London mansion
Luxury auto sector defies industry crash
Gene Simmons promises high-impact "Boom" from Kiss
Biography reveals Queen Mum's private letters
Greece at new risk of being pushed off euro
Bodies of missing Tenn. mom, Jo Ann Bain, and daughter found
Female Breasts Are Bigger Than Ever
AMD Trinity Accelerated Processing Units Now in Volume Production
The Avengers (2012 film), made the second biggest opening- and single-day gross of all-time
AMD to Start Production of piledriver
Ivy Bridge Quad-Core, Four-Thread Desktop CPUs
Islamists Protest Lady Gaga's Concert in Indonesia
Japan Successfully Broadcasts an 8K Signal Over the Air
ECB boosts loans to 1 trillion Euro to stop credit crunch
Egypt : Mohammed Morsi won with 52 percent
What do you call 100,000 Frenchmen with their hands up
AMD Launches AMD Embedded R-Series APU Platform
Fed Should not Ignore Emerging Market Crisis
Fed casts shadow over India, emerging markets
Why are Chinese tourists so rude? A few insights