Even as it wallows in cliches, you can sense there is something unique about Whip It, a coming-of-age sports dramedy set amidst the world of women’s roller derby. Ellen Page, less snarky than usual, stars as Bliss Cavendar, a Texas teen doomed to beauty pageants – at least until she discovers the fishnets and hard knocks of a roller-derby league in Austin. Andrew Wilson – the leftover Wilson brother – gets some good laughs as Bliss’ disproportionately committed coach, but Whip It is dominated by the likes of Drew Barrymore, Juliette Lewis, Kristen Wiig, Eve and Marcia Gay Harden. Oh, and Barrymore directs. Feminine but not girly, sweet but not saccharine, the entire thing proceeds like a raucous pajama party pillow fight. In this case, though, someone’s filled the pillow cases with rocks.
