But I'm a Cheerleader (1999)
A comedy of sexual disorientation.
Starring: Natasha Lyonne, Michelle Williams, Brandt Wille, Bud Cort, Mink Stole, RuPaul, Katie Donahue, Danielle Reneau, Cathy Moriarty, Eddie Cibrian, Melanie Lynskey, Clea DuVall, Katrina Phillips, Katharine Towne, Joel Michaely
Director: Jamie Babbit
Running Time: 89 minutes
US MPAA rating: N/AUK BBFC rating: N/A
Comedy, Romance
On DVD Natasha Lyonne stars as Megan Bloomfield, an apparently normal teenager at high school. She appears to have it all - she is one of the school's best cheerleaders and is going steady with the captain of the football team. However, her friends and family have been noticing strange things about Natasha. She doesn't seem to like kissing her boyfriend, the posters in her locker and on her bedroom walls all feature girls, and she's even a vegetarian. Her concerned parents Peter and Nancy (Bud Cort and Mink Stole) are committed Christians and want to solve the problem of Natasha's behaviour once and for all.
One day Natasha comes home to find her family and friends have conspired against her and called in 'True Directions', a kind of therapy for homosexuals. Under the care of the group's founder Mary J Brown (Cathy Moriarty) and her 'ex-gay' assistant Mike (RuPaul Charles), Natasha will learn how to be a 'real woman'. However, she will also have to explore her sexual choices for real. Ultimately, at 'True Directions' Natasha will discover others who have the same gender preferences, especially her new lesbian friend Graham (Clea DuVall), and eventually will have to decide who she really wants to be.
This touching and funny romantic comedy is full of charming characters and situations, and shows the futility of seeking a 'cure' for someone that isn't ill in the first place. The plot and execution are outstanding, and the characters appealing. The infamous RuPaul is wonderful in this rare straight role, and Cathy Moriarty is perfect as the well-meaning but wholly out-of-touch pro-hetero zealot. Natasha Lyon does a great job of playing the confused teenager who is trying to be what her parents and friends expect while discovering who she really is. Although the subject matter will not appeal to all, those who choose to watch this film are likely to be pleasantly surprised.
DVD Extras: Interesting but limited extras with this basic single-disc release.
Extras: Director interview, Behind the scenes, Trailer.
It's Got: Some very funny moments and much to think about.
It Needs: To be watched with an open mind.
Alternatives: Chasing Amy, Beautiful Thing, Edge of Seventeen.
Summary: Touching and funny comedy of teenage sexual personal discovery and the journey to self-awareness. Perhaps not for everyone, but will please an unexpected number of people.
Review by Andrea Chee
Review Date: 6th July 2003
External Links
But I'm a Cheerleader at the IMDB
Comments4 Comments |
| i think clea is very hott! |
| Comment by:- kitty kat meow | | 27 October 2004 | ip: logged |
| katharine towne and clea are hot as hell xxxxx |
| Comment by:- maxine | | 17 December 2004 | ip: logged |
| hahahaha..agree'd |
| Comment by:- tori bird.? | | 02 January 2005 | ip: logged |
| yeh i totally agree that clea is so hot... bam. look at those sexy (purrrrr) legs... by the way does anyone know what the signs said in the movie. example: "go home faggots! dicks are for chicks!" and if you do post them please! |
| Comment by:- clea | | 12 August 2005 | ip: logged |
