But I'm a Cheerleader (1999)

User Rating:

6.1/10   

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 | Gay | Homosexual | Rehab

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:

Continuity: At the cheer-leading practice, the coach reminds the girls they need to pick their uniforms for the big game. Yet, when Meagan is on the way to True Directions and she passes the bus with the cheerleaders on it, they are wearing the same uniforms they wore to practice that day.

Quotes:

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

Movie Connections:

References Raging Bull (1980)

Soundtrack:

Chick Habit (Laisse Tomber Les Filles)

Quite brilliant.

Although on paper this might seem quite offensive to some people, But I'm A Cheerleader is actually a stunning film. A film based around a homosexual rehabilitation commune may be a sensitive and distressing issue, but this film handles it perfectly, by not taking sides and making it a comedy. It plainly shows you the ridiculousness of such a situation but also shows you how people can become so engulfed by it and their own beliefs, and also making it one of the funniest films I've seen for a long while.

Natasha Lyonne is excellent as Megan, a girl who isn't given a chance to fully realise she is a lesbian, and is carted off to "True Directions", led by the rather scary Mary .J. Brown. There, with other "confused" teenagers, she goes on a quest to find her "true destiny" as a happy heterosexual. Although, things do not go to plan, and Megan falls in love with fellow resident Graham, who sees the horror of the whole place. The film has many nice touches that make it all the more enjoyable, such as Mary having an extremely camp son (played by the rather damn gorgeous Eddie Cibrian) and also having her colleague played by the legendary RuPaul, in a rare dragless turn.

This film excels in having both humorous and heartbreaking moments. It intertwines classic comedy and tearful reality with ease. You'll have the boys salivating over Mary's son Rock one moment and a rather devastating scene where student Jan tries to convey that she isn't really gay at all, but was forced here. When this film wants to put it's message across it does, and scenes such as Graham's father telling her graduate or she's on her own really do have an impact. But where this film really wins is in it's way that it does not take sides. Mary does not see the error of her ways throughout the film and remains firm in her homophobic beliefs.

This film isn't about trying to change people's opinions, it's simply presenting a situation and leaving people to make up their own minds. It's also a comedy, and a very funny one at that, with some glittering performances from all, especially, Lyonne, Clea DuVall and Cathy Moriarty. This film may not be to everyone's taste, but it's perfect for whatever mood you find yourself in. Definitely a triumph.