Whip It, the 2009 American sports comedy-drama movie, directed by Drew Barrymore, is a story about finding one’s identity. It is a movie that tackles societal norms and gender roles, portraying how they influence both the young and the old’s personal lives.
Bliss Cavendar is a teenage girl living in Bodeen, Texas. Her mother, Brooke, pushes her to join beauty pageants, an activity Bliss has no interest in. Bliss stumbles upon three roller derby players during a shopping trip with her mother and becomes captivated.
Bliss watches a game between the Holly Rollers and the Hurl Scouts with her friend Pash and falls in love with the rough contact sport. Unfortunately, the team has an age requirement of 21, and she is a teenager. Bliss lies about her age and auditions to join the Hurl Scouts with success. Her team members aptly name her Babe Ruthless.
Bliss starts performing well in games, something that boosts her self-confidence since she is bullied at school. The team is not performing so well, and it’s Razor’s duty, their coach, to revive the team’s spirit. He does that by motivating them to believe in themselves.
One day, Bliss’s friend Pash is arrested and charged with being underage and drunk. Bliss’s mother, Brooke, strongly opposes her hiking with roller derby, seeing it as un-ladylike and dangerous. Brooke demands Bliss stops playing the sport and instead participates in beauty pageantry.
Bliss faces a dilemma as a contest she has to participate in coincides with the championship final match against the Holly Rollers. Despite Brooke’s pressure, Bliss decides to play, showing her new-found confidence and fearlessness. In the end, Bliss realizes that she is much more than just a beauty queen and that she can defy societal norms and expectations.
Whip It is a compelling movie that tackles real-life issues that young girls often face in society. It highlights the importance of pursuing one’s passion, irrespective of gender stereotypes. The film also depicts the role of family, friends, and coaches in the life of a young person.
One of the central themes of the movie is that of identity. Bliss has to navigate a world where societal norms and expectations are at odds with her desires to be herself. The roller derby represents an escape from the constraints of societal expectations for Bliss. She finds a community of like-minded people, and these connections are crucial to her growth and progress.
Another key theme of the movie is confidence. Bliss starts out as a shy and insecure girl, bullied at school and trapped in the mold her mother has set for her. As she participates in roller derby, she starts to find her voice, and her self-confidence blossoms. Whip It is a great reminder that confidence and the courage to buck societal norms are important virtues for young women.
In conclusion, Whip It is a fun and inspiring movie that can help girls find themselves and be who they want to be. The themes of identity, confidence, family, and friendship are all crucial components that come together to form a fantastic story. It advocates for the significance of following your passions and standing up for what you believe in, even if that goes against societal expectations.
