But I'm a Cheerleader (1999)

Director:

Jamie Babbit

Writers:

Brian Wayne Peterson (screenplay)
Jamie Babbit (story)

Release Date:

16 November 2000 (Australia)

Genre:

Comedy | Romance | Drama

Tagline:

A Comedy Of Sexual Disorientation

Plot:

A naive teenager is sent to rehab camp when her straitlaced parents and friends suspect her of being a lesbian.

Plot Keywords:

Lesbian | Cheerleader | Rehab | Gay | Homosexual

Awards:

2 wins & 2 nominations

Cast

Natasha Lyonne	...	Megan
Michelle Williams	...	Kimberly
Brandt Wille	...	Jared
Bud Cort	...	Peter
Mink Stole	...	Nancy
RuPaul	...	Mike (as RuPaul Charles)
Katie Donahue	...	Cheerleader #1
Danielle Reneau	...	Cheerleader #2
Cathy Moriarty	...	Mary Brown
Eddie Cibrian	...	Rock
Melanie Lynskey	...	Hilary
Clea DuVall	...	Graham
Katrina Phillips	...	Jan
Katharine Towne	...	Sinead
Joel Michaely	...	Joel

Also Known As:

Make Me Over (USA) (working title)

MPAA:

Rated R for strong language and sexual content involving teens.

Runtime:

85 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby SR

Certification:

Canada:18A (Manitoba) | New Zealand:M | Australia:M | Canada:14A | Germany:12 | UK:15 | USA:R

Company:

Cheerleader LLC

Trivia:

The song that Rock is dancing to, is "Party Train" by RuPaul. RuPaul plays Mike, one of the counselors, in this film.

Goofs:

Crew or equipment visible: The top of a crew member's head appears at the bottom of the screen just after Megan and Dolph get out of the pick-up, in army clothes, to go and save their respective lovers from the diploma ceremony.

Quotes:

Andre: She's just upset, because the fish on her plate is the only kind she can eat.

Movie Connections:

Featured in Indie Sex: Teens (2007) (TV)

Soundtrack:

Glass Vase Cello Case

NOT your usual angst-ridden coming out film...

This is a completely different take on any 'coming out' movie I have ever seen - but with RuPaul as a former homosexual turned 'conversion therapist,' it would pretty much have to be!

Mink Stole is delightfully smarmy as Amanda's (Natasha Lyonne) mother who sends Amanda the cheerleader to `True Directions' a homosexual deprogramming camp - camp being the key word - mostly based on the fact that she doesn't like her quarterback boyfriend's extremely wet and sloppy kisses and (heaven forbid!) she has a poster of Melissa Etheridge in her bedroom.

The camp is a wonderful, non-stop visual joke.

The girl's bathroom has literally thousands of daisies attached to the walls. Their bedroom is a riot of pink satin, ribbons and lace worthy of Mae West.

The girls have to wear pink uniforms and do housework; the boys are in blue and have to learn to chop wood, work on cars and learn football. Watching RuPaul work on a car is worth the price of admission alone.

Each of the kids has a 'root,' - the reason they became gay: ranging from `a traumatic bris' to `my mother got married in pants.'

Larry and Lloyd (Richard Moll and Wesley Mann, respectively) are priceless as two of the first clients of True Direction and are now self described ex-ex-gays. They rescue kids via the 'underground homo railroad' with the message `that no matter who you are, be yourself.'

They are an absolute delight.

The final 'graduation scene' which wraps up the film very nicely is a real gem - I didn't know they made lavender fatigues!

There were some real standout performances - Dante Basco as Dolph and Clea DuVall as Graham deserve special recognition.

Don't run out as soon as the credits start rolling: There is one last scene that seals this film with just the perfect touch.