User reviews

This documentary begins in 2001 with a group of young women getting together in Austin, Texas, and deciding to form a roller derby league. Although all of the women initially share the same dream, it soon becomes apparent that the man they chose to be their manager never really had a firm grasp on the business industry as a whole--and as a direct result, much of their hard work and effort is soon to be wasted. Yet rather than giving up, they continue and, even though they are also novices when it comes to business management, slowly piece things together, finally realizing their dream. Well, sort of, because a little while later, differences of opinion begin to emerge, which then threaten everything that they had worked so hard to achieve. Now, rather than reveal any more, I will just say that this was both an interesting and an informative documentary, which sheds some light on the phenomenon of modern-day roller derby. On that note, however, it also left me with a few questions pertaining to the exact reason why the leadership of the newly formed Austin roller derby league couldn't understand and accommodate the vast majority of its skaters. Be that as it may, while I would have preferred a bit more narrative, I believe that this documentary provided a pretty good look at the roller derby movement during this particular time, and I have rated this film accordingly. Slightly above average.

This movie is a must see for every woman out there. It is a story of women getting together to do something without men, but at the same time finding that women can be as insensitive and self-interested as any man. The issues of the ownership of the means of production are as acute in this league as they were in the the NFL, MLB, and NBA in the 70s & 80s, but on a scale that keeps it right at home.

The girls (err, I mean women, of course!) take over a man's idea, but find that effort alone is not enough to overcome the hostilities from within of the have-nots. Eventually it is a proletariat revolt that makes you want to go pick up a hammer and anvil. This is an excellent movie, and should be up for all of the documentary awards this year.

Bravo.