Plot synopsis: Bliss is a high school student stuck in a small Texas town outside of Austin. She is kind of a misfit, but competes in beauty pageants to please her mother. When she discovers roller derby she joins the team and discovers something that finally makes her happy.
Why this movie is great for girls: This is a sport movie for athletes and non-athletes alike. Bliss is already fine being "different" from her mother and younger sister, dressing how she wants even though she goes through the motions of the pageants. After seeing the roller derby for the first time, she goes up to one of the girls after and says, "You guys are my new heroes." The girl responds, "Why don't you put on a pair of skates and be your own hero." Which is exactly what Bliss does! This movie deals with family, friendship, and relationships. Bliss does have a relationship with an indie-rocker throughout most of the film. He breaks her heart and then tries to deny doing anything wrong. Bliss looks at him so full of confidence and says "I don't want to be that girl," and walks away without a second thought.
Possible challenges: Not all PG-13 movies need to be for older girls (Whale Rider) but this one does! There is drinking and a scene where Bliss and her boyfriend are swimming in a pool and proceed to take off their clothes. Noting is shown besides kissing, but later in the movie Bliss tells her mother that she "gave him everything." This is a movie that has a great message, but I would watch with your daughter so you can have a conversation about behaviors in the movie that are not appropriate to emulate.
Parental lessons: What makes us happy will not (probably not) be what makes our children happy. When Bliss' dad stands up to her mom to let Bliss skate he says (of wasting money on an $800 custom made dress), "I'm ok losing the money, but I'm not ok missing the chance to see our child happy."
Age recommendation: at least 13
