Drew Barrymore makes her directing debut with a join-the-dots sports outing that's so brightly played - and so essentially sweet-natured - that its manifest cliches come up smelling of fresh paint.

Although there's nothing original about it, and although it's handled competently rather than with breathtaking élan, it's almost impossible to dislike...

As a sports movie and as a mixed-up teen flick, it keeps taking unexpected turns, and unlike so many in the former genre, remembers there's more to sport dramas than just winning.

An enjoyable directorial debut from Barrymore, carried by the charm of a very game cast and anchored by a rock solid lead performance by Page. Whip It is just plain fun