Director Jamie Babbit's assured first feature But I'm a Cheerleader is subversive, smart and extremely funny, but not entirely original. Megan Williams (Natasha Lyonne) is a good Christian cheerleading girl. She doesn't think it at all strange that she can't get the image of tumbling cheerleaders out of her mind while her football player boy friend is trying to French kiss her. But her parents, played respectively by Bud Cort (Brewster McCloud) and John Water' s regular Mink Stole, have noticed Megan's odd behaviour and arrange an intervention. They send her off to New Directions, a sexual rehabilitation camp run by a straight-laced school madam, Mary (Cathy Moriarty), where she is forced to come to terms with her lesbian tendencies. But while on a strict regime of corrective therapy, Megan falls head over heels f or surly dyke, Graham--played by Clea DuVall (The Astronaut's Wife)--and is forced to reassess whether straight really is great. The zany script and over-the-top characterisations have the feel of a John Waters comedy; The day-glo sets and costumes give the film a surreal Pee Wee's Playhouse feel and Lyonne is charmingly dizzy and bewildered throughout. RuPaul excels as Mike, a former gay exercise trainer, and Moriarty out-camps them all.
On the DVD: The main feature is presented in letterboxed widescreen with Dolby Digital sound. Extra features are limited to a theatrical trailer and a 10-minute behind-the-scenes look at the film in which director Jamie Babbit explains the genesis of the film followed by hastily assembled footage of random scenes being shot. --Chris Campion
Customer Reviews:
Avg. Customer Rating: 4.5 / 5.0
It's a hoot Light, fluffy nonsense, I loved it. This is a cheery and not very cynical look at homophobia. Despite this, the blossoming relationship bit was actually very sweet. RuPaul was a total revelation too.
Pretty damn good Well, I liked this movie. Yes, it seemed to be quite low budget, but well done to a low budget movie.
I liked the chemistry between the two girls, it was real and believable.
I thought the ending was very sweet and it clearly demonstrates that people are just what they are.
Excellent Reading the other reviews prompted me to write this one. I dont see why all the reviewere are selling this film by pointing out that you "forget" its about two girls, and its just about "two people who happen to be girls". The whole point of the film is that they are at this place because society wants them to forget about girls and be heterosexual, therefore that is the one thing that shouldnt be forgotten. Seriousness aside, its absolutely hilarious and well acted and touching. It is non exploitative... more info
One of my fave movies This film deserved so much more attention and success than it got. If you watch the documentary 'This Film is Not Yet Rated', you'll see that it was basically censored and brushed under the carpet, because the powers that be were a bunch of miserable homophobes. It's a really skillful and funny crowd-pleaser, that would entertain anyone (apart from the most committed bigot). Plus it manages to say alot about America's attitudes to lesbians and gays, but without ever getting preachy or boring. It's got a... more info
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