Whip It

The Independent“Impossible to dislike...” What's also refreshing about Whip It is the unAmerican emphasis on enjoying the sport's camaraderie, even if you're not natural winners: Bliss's team of wannabe champs seem destined to be merely OK. A bit like this film...

The Times“A funky, indie vibe while telling a very mainstream story...” The plot, based on a book by Shauna Cross, is a tad unconvincing: a full-scale runaway rebellion that involves neither drink, nor drugs, nor sex? Yet this is a sweet, comic drama, which seems to hail from another time...

Guardian“A join-the-dots sports outing that's so brightly played...” Barrymore takes enough detours along the way to make us care about her contestants and believe in the gaudy, clattering microverse they patrol...

The Telegraph“A happy-slappy, knock’em-sock’em amalgam...” Wiig reaffirms her status as an actress with the best comic timing working today; Gay Harden brings emotional heft to her character; Page, softer and less than one-dimensional than in her breakout roles, is a pleasure to watch...

Little White Lies“A cool, authentic indie vibe...” A killer soundtrack and a sassy, game cast make for a fun-filled roller-ride. A restrained but accomplished debut from Barrymore, who emerges with minimal bruising. Whip It establishes itself as a restless nomad with fire in its belly...

Time Out film“Seductive and lightly anarchic...” Taken as a florid celebration of female solidarity, the film is commendable, if hardly radical. ‘Whip It’ is essentially ‘Rollerball’ for the American Apparel set, where instead of James Caan battling fascist corporate powers you’ve got Ell

Empire“There’s more to sport dramas than just winning...” Excellent emo chick coming-of-age drama plus broads in fetish gear battering each other on roller skates — frankly, a film that offers something for everyone...

Channel4 Film“The direction is dreamy...” It's a fast-paced, energetic sport, the thrill of which the trailer captured. The movie, however, doesn't. Nor does it contain much of that creativity. Barrymore gives some beautiful shots of the alternative side of Austin, Texas...

Total Film “So passionate, positive and, yes, empowering, it’s hard not to fall for..” Barrymore’s debut is a blazing coming-of-ager for alt girls. Confusing derby scenes mean it struggles as a sports film, but Twi-sceptics should love it...

Variety“Ellen Page finally has a role to match her star-making turn in Juno...” Laced with good-natured hipster kitsch and endearingly goofy girl power, director Drew Barrymore's roller-derby dramedy, "Whip It," is a gas...