Mr. wOw | 10/23/2009 12:30 am

Mr. wOw, 'Whip It' Director Drew Barrymore and 'That Crappy/Wonderful Thing Called Life'

By Mr. wOw

Drew Barrymore’s directorial debut: the teen-angst, mom vs. daughter, roller-derby film, "Whip It."

Mr. wOw has to state upfront he has a weakness for most things Drew. Years ago he interviewed the actress. We were seated in a dark corner of a dark hotel bar. At some point, the interview — for whatever she was doing at that time — was over, and we began to talk about childhoods and loss and life: that crappy/wonderful thing called Life. I cried. She cried. It was lovely. She is genuine and beyond mere movie-star charm. Drew is a real person who has suffered stardom and crazy parents and has come out the other side OK. (If only somebody could deliver Lindsay Lohan into Drew’s hands!)

But beside my sentimental memory, "Whip It" is very fine. The star, Ellen Page of "Juno" fame, is superb. And I have long adored Marcia Gay Harden, who plays Ellen’s beauty-pageant-winning mother, who (natch) assumes her daughter will want to continue the superficial thread of what it means to be significant as a woman. Or at least not get into a business where being beat up by other gals is just a day at the office!

"Whip It" also brings Juliette Lewis back to the screen, as a character named Iron Maven. I love Juliette, who patented the psycho/killer-nymphet. Mr. wOw caught Juliette on Chelsea Handler’s show recently. Miss Lewis wore red gloves and silly shoes. She was promoting her music, in which she is quite invested, even if the rest of us want her to get back to making movies full-time. She still looks like a psycho/killer-nymphet, so there’s hope for film fans.

By the way, check out Chelsea Handler’s "Chelsea Lately" show. Handler is the utterly profane take-no-prisoners/screw-the-Hollywood-establishment comic that Kathy Griffin once was, briefly. (And never will be again.)

Back to "Whip It." It’s great, it’s empowering, and it’s the only female roller-derby film I’ve enjoyed, other than Raquel Welch’s "Kansas City Bomber."

18 Reader Comments (so far…) Sign In or Register to comment

Three Mr. Wows in one week? what a treat! I give such credit to Ms Barrymore for her grit and ability to emerge from her kind of past into the kind of woman she is today. Your recall of that emotional talk with her in that cozy corner in that dark bar was touching. Those are the kinds of connections that bind, aren’t they? I will put Drew’s film on my list. It has a great cast––I agree with your assessments ––and maybe we can discuss it later after many of us have seen it.

By phyllis Doyle Pepe on 10/23/2009 9:52 am

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I’m glad the lovely Drew is taking on bigger projects. This is her time. Her performance in Grey Gardens was magnificent. She went toe to toe in performance ability with talented Jessica Lange, quite a feat in itself.

By Maggie W on 10/23/2009 10:07 am

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I have the same thoughts on Lindsay and Drew. In spite of huge odds at the time, she pulled herself together and flew higher than the memories of the wild child who was barely a teenager at the time.

By Linda Myers on 10/23/2009 10:30 am

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I really admire Drew Barrymore. We’ve watched her grow up, take her knocks and bad choices and turn them golden as a lovely talented and caring human being. I will always seek out her work and will look forward to seeing "Whip It."

By deber B on 10/23/2009 10:33 am

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Juliette Lewis - she radiates a powerful energy of uncommon intelligence. She seems to give 110% every time out of the gate onscreen. I’d definitely like to see much more film work from her. It is gratifying to see that her music gives her so much joy. As for Drew Barrymore - she rocks. I can’t wait to see "Whip It".

By E . on 10/23/2009 11:29 am

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Mr. wOw - hmmm I think I know who you are. Without thinking about it it came to me in one of those flashes <no, NOT a hot flash> when I was deciding which task to avoid next. I know you’re undercover though so I won’t say … but you know I want to!!!

I won’t though. Have a great weekend doll.

By E . on 10/23/2009 11:49 am

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Dear E. Thank you for keeping my secret (if indeed you have it) I know my anonymous moniker is annoying to some. I intend to go to the Metropolitan Museum this weekend, where I spent so many lovely afternoons as a child. It is comforting and uplifting. I always feel I’ve really DONE something after a few hours wandering the galleries.

By Mr. Wow on 10/23/2009 1:01 pm

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I intend to go to the Metropolitan Museum this weekend, where I spent so many lovely afternoons as a child.

A fine place to be anonymous! I drag my sketchbook down there regularly and am still finding nooks and crannies to explore. Can you use your anonymous fame to pressure them into allowing artists to use more than just a mere pencil? The restriction is maddening since most ‘damage’ to the works are from careless tourists and children who like to deposit gum on abstract paintings. The only time an artist actually damaged a work was when Tony Shafrazi famously spray painted Picasso’s Guernica in 1974. (Sorry to go off-topic. I like Drew, too. We often see her wandering the West Side. She’s intelligent, approachable and fun - fine qualities for a ‘superstar’.)

By New Yorker on 10/23/2009 3:14 pm

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Mr. wOw - Lucky you to get to go to The Metropolitan Museum of Art whenever you want. Haven’t been there in so long. Soak in all of that inspiration this weekend and you will have done a lot. Whatever you do remember to have fun =)

By E . on 10/23/2009 1:34 pm

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Drew Barrymore: such an endearing young woman. I have adored her since her portrayal of Gertie in E.T., rooted for her to survive the rocky times, and cheered when she moved forward in such fine style. Her performance in Grey Gardens was perfection - she made me laugh and cry with abandon. Kudos to her for making such a creative, strong life for herself. And like others have remarked, would that other young stars could emulate her and move past their tabloid follies.

Mr. wOw, I don’t know who you are, but I have an image of you in mind, and I wish you a happy few hours amid the treasures of the Met. Stay dapper! ;->

By Susan Crawford on 10/23/2009 2:46 pm

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Dear Susan, thank you! But I am the least dapper person would would ever want to meet. I am no Tim Gunn, alas. I am not age-appropriate in my dress, manner or thinking.

By Mr. Wow on 10/23/2009 2:51 pm

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correx—least dapper person you would ever want to meet. I wish to hell this thing had a spell and grammar check. Mr. Wow is not too swift.

By Mr. Wow on 10/23/2009 2:53 pm

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Whip It should prove interesting and, hopefully, entertaining. Roller Derby has a shady history, colorful characters and also fast paced action; maybe more than entertaining.

I’ve read several biographies of the Barrymore family … especially of the three siblings…. John, Ethel and Lionel. Drew’s talent should not be taken lightly. She is quite wonderful. Congratulations to Drew on branching out into another field of movie making. I hope we do not regret that she is not starring in the film. However, Ellen Page should do well.

By Bonnie O on 10/23/2009 5:57 pm

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What a great little flick ! This movie has it all …The roller derby scenes take me back to the friday nights spent watching the SF Bay City Bombers on a 15in B&W TV. But the real treat is watching brilliant newcomer Ellen Page and vet actresses like Juliette Lewis provide subtle and intelligent insights to timeless issues - family pressures (Ellen’s movie mom is a real scene stealer) teen angst - first love, and the perilous balance between female friendship & rivalrey. I loved it…and look forward to many more entertaining films by Drew Barrymore!

By Robin Lindsay on 10/24/2009 11:54 am

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Mr. Wow,

Always enjoy your contributions. I’ve been a Drew fan since ET…and I’m a Lindsay fan too. Maybe you’ve really got something…maybe Drew could mentor LL. As I’ve said before, she needs at least one adult in her life and neither of her parents qualify.

By Lee Harrison on 10/24/2009 7:51 pm