Set in a tiny town in Texas, Whip It centres on Bliss Cavendar (Ellen Page) and the once popular sport of roller derby.

The two come together when Bliss picks up a derby flyer advertising what looks to her like the best way of expressing her growing need for independence.

She's supported by her childhood friend Pash (Alia Shawkat), and the two young women navigate their way from high school to college and to adulthood.

This coming-of-age story feels at times aware of its own formulaic structure.

Bliss's mum (played by Marcia Gay Harden) can't let go of her adolescent years, which she spent competing in an endless round of beauty pageants and as a result can't help but push her daughters to do the same.

Starring Owen Wilson's less famous brother Andrew Wilson as Razor, the passionate coach and mentor of the derby team, the film has its quirks and feel-good moments.

But the plot runs a little slowly and predictably.

There's no doubt that this film will renew interest in the rough and tumble of roller derby, which was so popular during the 1980s.

Filled with great music and a low-fi aesthetic to match its punkie tone, Whip It was better than I thought it would be.

Unfortunately, it never really said anything new or particularly deep.

This is a shame, because it has the advantage of great cast and subject matter.

In the end, it was a good way to kill time with mates and a reminder that the journey of growing up is full of false starts and little victories.

By Nicholas Ryan