It seems like just yesterday that little Drew Barrymore was just a cute-as-a-button child actress making her debut in E.T. But countless films later, Barrymore steps behind the camera for her feature film debut – Whip It. Thanks to a great script, terrific ensemble cast, a brilliant soundtrack and some very assured direction, this coming of age film turns out to be one of the most entertaining films of the summer season.

Ellen Page (last seen as a pregnant teen in Juno) is young Bliss Cavendar, whose Texan ex-beauty queen mother (Marcia Gay Harden) is obsessed with entering her in all the local pageants. When Bliss sneaks off to the Austin roller derby with her best friend Pash, she finds herself utterly hooked. Bliss soon finds her life transformed as she throws herself into the sport, changing the team's fortunes in the bargain – until she realises that the roller derby championship match is on the same day as the Blue Bonnet Pageant her mother has set her heart on.

Page is endearing as Bliss and all assembled (including Barrymore herself) give cracking performances. Andrew Wilson (brother of Owen and Luke) is terrific as the team coach and it’s great to see Juliette Lewis as Iron Maven, the aggressive leader of the rival team. But the big star here is the sport itself – roller derby – an exciting combination of speed roller skating and blocking which is already going strong in Scotland. If you are inspired to get involved – check out our local team, Dundee Destroyers.