But I'm a Cheerleader (1999)

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

Director:

Jamie Babbit

Writers:

Brian Peterson (screenplay) (as Brian Wayne Peterson), Jamie Babbit (story)

Stars:

Natasha Lyonne, Clea DuVall, Michelle Williams

2 wins & 2 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
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 Rene	...	Cheerleader #2 (as Danielle Reneau)
Cathy Moriarty	...	Mary Brown
Eddie Cibrian	...	Rock
Melanie Lynskey	...	Hilary
Clea DuVall	...	Graham
Katrina Phillips	...	Jan
Katharine Towne	...	Sinead
Joel Michaely	...	Joel

Storyline

Megan is an all-American girl. She's a cheerleader and has a boyfriend, but she doesn't like kissing him very much, and she's pretty tactile with her cheerleader friends, and she only has pictures of girls up in her locker. Her parents and friends conclude that she *must* be gay and send her off to "sexual redirection" school, full of admittedly homosexual misfits, where she can learn how to be straight. Will Megan be turned around to successful heterosexuality, or will she succumb to her love for the beautiful Graham?

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Plot Keywords:

lesbian | cheerleader | lesbian relationship | lesbian teen | lesbian kiss | 

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Taglines:

A Comedy Of Sexual Disorientation

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Genres:

Comedy | Drama | Romance

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for strong language and sexual content involving teens

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

11 August 2000 (USA)

Also Known As:

Make Me Over

Filming Locations:

Santa Clarita, California, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$1,200,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$60,410, 9 July 2000

Gross USA:

$2,205,627

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$2,595,216

Company Credits

Production Co:

Cheerleader LLC, Hate Kills Man (HKM), Ignite Entertainment

Technical Specs

Runtime:

85 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby SR

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Melanie Lynskey was Jamie Babbit's first choice to play Hilary after the director had seen her in Heavenly Creatures (1994) and Ever After: A Cinderella Story (1998). Additionally, Lynskey had already worked with Natasha Lyonne (Megan) in Detroit Rock City (1999).

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Goofs

When Dolph and Megan get in the truck to go and kidnap Clayton and Graham from graduation, the back window of the truck is not painted. When Graham climbs in the back of the truck after Megan's cheer, the window is painted red and white.

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Quotes

Mary: Ok, then, who's left to report out their root? Andre?
Andre: Shit, Ms. Mary, I ain't the only one who ain't got no root.
Mary: Andre, we don't use profanity or double negatives here at True Directions. Ok, who's next? Megan!
Megan: Well, I've really been thinking but I just can't think of anything.
Graham: I think our little Prom Queen is too afraid to disclose.
Megan: Oh, really? What's your root, Graham?
Graham: We're working on your issue here, not mine. You're deflecting.
Mary: Actually, I think it might be a great idea for Megan to be ...
[...]

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Alternate Versions

The verson that ran in theaters had the Lion's Gate logo than the Fine Line logo and then the credit: "Fine Line Features presents". This wasn't changed in time as a deal with Fine Line and the film's production company fell-through. On the DVD release the Lion's Gate logo apears and then new credit: "Lion's Gate Films presents". No mention of Fine Line appears.

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Connections

Featured in This Is What Love in Action Looks Like (2011)

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Soundtracks

Funnel Of Love
Performed by Wanda Jackson
Written by Kent Westberry, Charlie McCoy
Published by Universal - Songs of Polygram International, Inc.
obo Cedarwood Publishing
Courtesy of Capitol Nashville
Licensed from EMI-Capitol Music Special Markets

User Reviews

A must rental for a guaranteed laugh, especially if you're gay!

For anyone who grew up or is growing up gay in middle-America or just about all of America, get ready to return to the most twisted version of your high school years and laugh till you're pink in the face. But, I'm a Cheerleader is one of the best gay themed movies to date. It is certainly one of the best comedies. Sort of a Jeffrey turned female high school cheerleader meets John Waters with only the best qualities of each.

I only wish this film had been available when I was a high school senior nearly fifteen years ago. It could have saved me thousands of dollars a year in therapy! If you are gay, and especially young or dealing with coming out at any age either to yourself and/or to others please go rent this movie. This is one of the only films I've seen which shows you can have a wonderful life and be happy and be loved and be gay.