Whip It

AroView: Drew Barrymore’s directorial debut is a joyful tale of a small town outsider (Page) who empowers herself through the bruising sport of roller derby.

Genuinely exciting derby sequences, a cast of likeable goofballs (including uber-goofball Kiwi Zoe Bell), and a gentle sense of humour makes this a winner for a teen girl audience, and while the plot is overly-familiar, the message here is far more rare; namely to celebrate female friendship and camaraderie. Refreshingly affirming.