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, Limited Release

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

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

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Goofs

During the bar scene, Megan removes her sweater on the bar. She goes to dance, and then leaves through the back door in a huff, whereupon her sweater magically reappears.

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Quotes

Hilary: This is where we sleep, but there's no inappropriate behavior allowed.
Megan: Inappropriate? Like swearing?
Graham: No, inappropriate like fucking.

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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

Referenced in Death Proof (2007)

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Soundtracks

The Swisher
Performed by Summer's Eve
Written by and Produced by Dave Moss, Ian Rich
Executive Producer Daven the Mad Hatter
Published by More Uncut Music (ASCAP)
Recorded at Smog Studios, Hollywood, CA.
Courtesy of Raw Nerve Records

User Reviews

Campy on Purpose

Incredible social commentary. Yes, It's a little campy, but it's all supposed to be that way. It's an amusing look at attempting to 'rehab" homosexuals with therapy and "finding their roots". Great acting all around, excellent writing.

Personally, it was the subtle things that did it for me. Mary's son was funny, and the cut-outs (just pay attention to the boys' lessons) were Hilarious. I thought it was a great tongue-in-cheek way of saying "okay, this is stupid, we need to let them be" for the gay community.

If you're in the mood for a lot of laughing, and RuPaul out-of-drag to boot, rent this one.