Quite how much you’ll like 35-year-old Drew Barrymore’s directorial debut - Roller Derby: A True Underdog Story, if you like - depends on how much of the floppy-indie-haircut-boy-infatuation subplot you can take without wanting to punch yourself in the snout. Regrettably, it bumps it down a star in OMG’s eyes, being a step too far from its spiky and enjoyable tomboys-and-tattoos core. Were it not for the primal instinct of every man to be distracted by women in short shorts, it may have had us running for the exits. 

On all other fronts, Barrymore is more than capable of crafting a likeable comedy without the irritating sass-mouth of Page’s previous despondent adolescent, Juno. Page’s Bliss doesn’t have the unrealistically articulate retorts of Diablo Cody’s teenager, and she’s all the more appealing for it. She’s shy, she’s searching and in the warm and believable relationships with her mother and best friend, she’s not making the best decisions. Those not completely sold as she impassionedly delivers the line ‘I’m in love with this’ need to pay a visit to their local GP to check if their heart is still beating. 

As well as doing a nice job of photographing the obscure ‘sport’ in all its bruising 360-degree glory, Barrymore – who is starting to slightly resemble Stephen Fry, it has to be said - wisely restricts herself to a minor role as teammate Smashley Simpson, and stuffs the key supporting parts with strong performers. In particular, Kristing Wiig as ad-hoc mentor ‘Maggie Mayhem’ and Daniel Stern – who you may remember as Joe Pesci’s burgling sidekick in Home Alone – as Bliss’s quietly compassionate father, excel. These gems do just about enough to distract us from smaller efforts such as the unfunny Jimmy Fallon as a ring announcer, and nature’s slap-magnet, Juliette Lewis, as a rival Roller. Coasting on the characteristic charm of her lead and without descending into the contrived ‘Oh, you like the Smiths too?’ awfulness of last year's 500 Days Of Summer, it’s a shame that a disproportionate amount of time is spent on that wet subplot. Coming across as an American Idol auditionee and off-putting to all but 15-year-old girls, Mr. iPod-shuffle sucks credibility from Whip It for every moment he’s on screen.  

But hey, Burt Reynolds knew it, Jackie Chan knows it, and Drew Barrymore has figured it out as well. If your film has ingredients that won’t appeal to everyone who paid their $10, then manipulate the crap out of them with a closing-credits blooper reel. Leave them smiling, even if some of them might feel as if they’ve had a short romantic relationship with a Jonas Brother. 

IN SHORT: 

Fast, furious and fun, with a believable heart. A promising directorial debut from little Gertie from ET, even if the teen-dream element may have you fighting to keep your breakfast, lunch and dinner down.