My brother Steven and N and I went to a sneak peek of Whip It, Drew Barrymore's directorial debut, over the weekend. The plot arc is pretty standard to coming-of-age films and so at times it feels predictable but I still enjoyed it. Even though I knew where it was going it was still fun getting there. The movie has a good cast: Ellen Page, Marcia Gay Harden, Alia Shawkat (Maeby from Arrested Development), Kristen Wiig, Drew Barrymore, Juliette Lewis, etc.... I thought Kristen Wiig did a nice job in particular.
The roller derby scenes are shot well enough that I think most people (including guys) will enjoy them. After all, cute girls in fishnets body-checking each other are pretty easy on the eyes. And it's a riot to hear the punny roller derby names (e.g. Smashley Simpson, Dinah Might, Malice In Wonderland, etc...).
Overall, Whip It, is a smart, sweet, offbeat movie that works well for a date movie or for a night out with the girls. If you get the chance, check it out.