MovieChat Forums > Whip It (2009) Discussion > This movie gives non-derby-folk a false ...

This movie gives non-derby-folk a false idea of the derby world?

posted 14 years ago by NewEnglandClamChowder
46 replies | jump to latest

I am support staff for a roller derby league and went to see this movie with a bunch of my roller girls, most of us felt obligated, I think, to see it, since it was about derby. And most of us thought it was just okay for a film based on a book about someone's personal experiences, but as a movie about derby, it sucked. We were pretty much alone in the theater when we saw it, it was after our event for the premiere had ended and the crowd had left, so we spent a lot of the movie talking freely about all the illegal hits and other things the movie just got wrong about the sport.

What irks me is, there are people who aren't involved in derby, who loved the movie and seem to come away from the movie assuming they have a complete knowledge of all things derby. I think because this movie showed not only bout scenes, but practice, locker room, and afterparty scenes, non-derby-folk (being people who aren't even fans, and are seeing this movie because it "looks interesting") feel like they have an inside view of the derby world.

Basically I've found: Derby people thought the movie was stupid, non-derby people loved it.

Derby has been a huge part of my life over the past two years, I love, appreciate, and understand the sport from a lot of different angles. And now I feel like the kind of people who look down on it, don't really care for it, or don't understand it think they have an advantage over all the people who've put time, effort, and love into roller derby. I mostly hate that these people will probably never get to see it from the actual insider's point of view.

So am I completely wrong? Is anyone out there a non-derby-person who feels a little more educated? Is there any derby-folk who feel the same way I do?

Indiana is the Apple Pie State.
"I'm 17. Looking at linoleum makes me want to have sex."

[–] tehck 14 years ago

I learned many years ago never to try to learn about a subject I didn't know about from watching a movie about it. I realized this after watching several movies about subjects I did know about which, without exception, were depicted inaccurately. Although the level of inaccuracy can vary from serious misrepresentation to total fantasy, almost nothing is depicted realistically. For example, in the entire history of the world there have never been any serial killers even remotely like those portrayed in movies like 'Silence of the Lambs,' Seven,' or, God forbid, 'Saw.' Someone here mentioned 'Rocky' (in my opinion the most overrated movie of all time). Its depiction of boxing is about as realistic as the fighting in a Popeye cartoon. But these are extreme examples. The more insidious cases are the multitude of movies that appear to explain or demonstrate some little-known sport, profession, or activity but actually misrepresent its core details. A good example would be 'Top Gun' which would seem to reveal something about modern fighter jet tactics but is actually wrong in almost every detail. And on it goes.

[–] 14 years ago

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[–] tim-b-roy 13 years ago

No, her mother was a Stryper fan back in college, remember? And the dad was googling. "Whip It!" takes place in the present. TXRD (the league sorta-depicted in the film) didn't exist by that name until 2003. Or at all before 2001.

[–] tim-b-roy 13 years ago

The coach in the film is based upon an actual person, Brian "The Blade" Gamble. That's why the dolphin necklace. Apparently that's how he dressed in the mid-2000s?

[–] MrSnuffles 13 years ago

I think in the same way that Sam Raimi's Spiderman did *beep* for Spiderman, it opened the door to people who didn't know comic books to take interest and become readers, Whip It may have done this for the sport that you so love. People may think they have an idea of Derby, but that doesn't mean they're going to proclaim the subject finished and closed, by them enjoying the movie they may be inspired to watch it, and see the real action, and what it's really all about.

"Marco?" "Polo, Mr Matthews. Polo."

[–] Saturnfly 13 years ago

I watched it last night, and like most Hollywood movies I thought it was probably just an over-dramatic portrayal of reality. Something which sells reasonably well in the commercial world, unfortunately no matter how far-fetched it is.

It did give me some insight into the sport, and even though I've never played it or even seen anyone play it, a lot of aspects seem to be unrealistic.

But I'm just a spectator.

[–] strik9 13 years ago

Didn't realize roller derby still existed. I haven't watched it since the late 80's and from what I remember, it was pro wrestling on skates back then...

w/e, it's a movie with so many confusing time settings who could take it seriously?

[–] 13 years ago

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[–] Punk_Rawk_Girl310 13 years ago

The author of this thread sort of comes off as a snob.. sorry. Generalizing everyone as "derby" people and "non-derby" people is ignorant. I know little about Roller Derby and I didn't walk out of this movie assuming I knew everything and I think the same goes for A LOT of other people. Sounds like you and your derby pals are being kind of elitist.

[–] Melilie 13 years ago

Yep, have to agree with the girl above, here. You just sound like you're trying way too hard to sound as if you're some sort of expert on the subject, and that everyone else is an *beep*

Everything in films is over-exaggerated and silly, it's not just you and your elitist friends. My best mate told me to watch this film after showing an interest in derby, and he's in a male team. I hope that if I do pick up the courage to give it a go, he helps me find a team that isn't hidden up their backsides.

Reminds me of all the crap around "non tattooed people" I hear of at work, haha. It makes sod all difference, sorry.

[–] hppg 13 years ago

That's good to know if it's not very realistic, I didn't think it was portrayed very well in the film at all! It looked violent, difficult, not even much fun and with too much deliberate "oh we're soooo wild!"ness attached to it.

[–] genasguy 13 years ago

There are things I agree and disagree with, and comments I appreciated, and comments I thought were offensive, on both sides.... but I'm going to stick to one single thought to express:

People: "People don't watch hospital dramas and assume they know about medicine!"

Irked Nurse's daughter: "Oh yes, they do."

[–] mikey1969 13 years ago

How odd, a friend of mine's wife started a local Derby league here after she split with the previous one here. He also used to be a ref, has watched the movie, and while it has some over the line stuff, such as Smashlee Simpson laying people flat out on the track, he says for the most [art it's a good representation of what Derby is.

Also, we got tickets to a sneak preview of the movie , which was attended by a large number of local Derby girls, and they said the same thing. there was also an article in the paper here with other Derby girls who said(Are you ready for this?) THE SAME THING.... The movie is far form perfect, but the rules are correct, the atmosphere fits pretty well, the vibe between the players is pretty accurate, and the fact that they are in this sport as much for entertainment as competition is pretty accurate, too.

So let me see if I get this right: your complaint is that people come away from this movie expecting the girls to go out and party after a bout, treat each other like family, and enjoy the sport with everything they've got?? Sounds like you may be in the wrong league if the girls are THAT miserable.