Whip It

*Whip It. 2010. 20th Century Fox. Directed by Drew Barrymore. Rated PG-13. DVD*

Whip It has a PG-13 rating, and this is one time when I agree with the ratings system. I'd feel uncomfortable recommending this to a viewer younger than 13 (although maybe a 12 year old could handle it). But I also think it's appropriate for middle school audiences.

The film focuses on Bliss Cavendar, a 17-year-old high-school student who lacks direction. Her mother "forces" her to do beauty pageants, since she loved doing beauty pageants when she was younger. Bliss, though, feels out of place in that world. In one of the film's first scenes, Bliss shows up on the pageant stage with blue hair. But while she wants to rebel against her mother's world, Bliss doesn't know where she belongs. ...Until she discovers roller derby.

From here, the film takes off on its predictable but entertaining ride. Bliss tries out for The Girl Scouts roller derby team and makes it, even though she hasn't skated in years and she isn't 21 (the required age for derby girls). She's renamed Babe Ruthless, and becomes the super-fast poster child of Texas Roller Derby. She meets a boy, gets into a fight with her best friend, and must come to terms with her parents' needs and wants, as well as her own needs and wants.

Whip It would have been one of my favorite movies when I was 14. It has a great message of girl power, and is incredibly empowering for any girl who feels lost and isn't quite sure where to go. Viewers should walk away feeling like they can go anywhere, be anybody, and become anything they want. The film deals with some more mature issues, such as sex and underage drinking. But, aside from the token puking-at-the-party scene, Whip It isn't very graphic. I think it would be a great film for middle schoolers to watch with their parents (who can then talk about some of the issues), but it should also be a safe enough movie for them to watch on their own.