[7] Chris Holmlund in Contemporary American Independent Film notes this feature of the film and calls the costumes "gender-tuned. There is a progression from the organic world of Megan's hometown, where the dominant colors are orange and brown, to the fake world of True Directions, dominated by intense blues and pinks (which are intended to show the artificiality of gender construction). There, Megan soon comes to embrace her sexual orientation, despite the therapy, and falls in love. [17] According to Box Office Mojo, it ranked at 174 for all films released in the US in 2000 and 74 for R-rated films released that year. Ships from: Amazon. Sign-up is free! "[12] Ted Gideonse in Out magazine wrote that the costumes and colors of the film show how false the goals of True Directions are. Early on in her stay at True Directions, Megan discovers two of the boys, Dolph and Clayton, making out. [49], San Francisco International Lesbian and Gay Film Festival, Créteil International Women's Film Festival, "So Many Battles to Fight — Interview with Jamie Babbit", "Rah Rah Rah: Director Jamie Babbit and Company Root for But I'm a Cheerleader", "Ladies' Man: An Interview with Superdiva RuPaul", "Lion's Gate acquires Jamie Babbit's "But I'm A Cheerleader, "New York Lesbian And Gay Film Festival -- 1–11 June", "Don't Worry. The film, But I’m a Cheerleader, is about how parents send their homosexual teenagers to a rehabilitative camp called True Directions to have them converted into heterosexuals. [32][39] Chris Holmlund said that the film shows that queer identity is multi-faceted, using as an example the scene where the ex-ex-gays tell Megan that there is no one way to be a lesbian. The True Directions kids are encouraged to rebel against Mary by two of her former students, ex-ex-gays Larry and Lloyd, who take the campers to a local gay bar where Graham and Megan's relationship develops into a romance. [7] According to Babbit, the germaphobic character of Mary Brown represents AIDS paranoia and her clean, ordered world is filled with plastic flowers, fake sky and PVC outfits. But I'm a Cheerleader (1,373) ... Natasha Lyonne plays a cheerleader who isn't really into boys & doesn’t even like kissing her boyfriend. Plaid-skirted schoolgirls are groomed by a secret government agency to become the newest members of the elite national-defense group, D.E.B.S. "[34] With the prompting of Mary and the other campers, Megan reluctantly agrees that she is a lesbian (step 1 of the five-step program). Other characters, particularly the males, were described as "offputting" and "nothing but stereotypes. But I'm a Cheerleader has been added to your Cart Add a gift receipt for easy returns. The sex scene between Megan and Graham was toned down because it was much too explicit and would have caused the movie to receive a "NC-17" rating. Pink Outfits Will Straighten Her Out", "The 100 Best Lesbian Movies Of All Time", "Sapphic Cinema: "But I'm a Cheerleader" – AfterEllen", "But I'm a Cheerleader-- Jamie Babbit Wins Créteil Films de Femmes 'Prix du Public, "Political Film Society — Previous Award Winners", "Soundtrack Details: But I'm a Cheerleader", "But I'm a Cheerleader to Debut at NYMF With Chandra Lee Schwartz, Kelly Karbacz, Natalie Joy Johnson, John Hill and More", "I'm developing BUT IM A CHEERLEADER the tv series with Starz now so fingers crossed. [29] Cynthia Fuchs, for NitrateOnline.com, agreed, stating that "no one who is phobic might recognize himself in the film" and that "the audience who might benefit most from watching it either won't see the film or won't see the point. Maggie hasn't told her, she's lesbian. While there, she admits the homosexuality that everyone but her had apparently seen, and falls in love with another of the True Directions members, Graham. She called it "numbingly crude" and said that the kitsch portrait of Middle America is out of touch with today's gay teenagers. But I'm a Cheerleader. An adventurous love story between two young women of different social and economic backgrounds who find themselves going through all the typical struggles of a new romance. From Wings to Parasite, here's a look back at all of the Best Picture Oscar winners in the history of the ceremony. [4] She also wanted to satirize both the religious right and the gay community. [8] As Mike, RuPaul makes a rare film appearance out of drag. The supporting cast includes Melanie Lynskey, Dante Basco, Eddie Cibrian, Clea DuVall, Cathy Moriarty, Katrina Phillips, RuPaul, Richard Moll, Mink Stole, Kip Pardue, Michelle Williams, and Bud Cort. But I’m a Cheerleader is a story about conversion therapy, homophobia, and finding the power within yourself to accept who you are. But I'm a Cheerleader is a 1999 romantic comedy film about a high-school cheerleader, Megan, who is sent to reparative therapy camp when her parents suspect that she is gay. A newlywed bride becomes infatuated with another woman who questions her sexual orientation, promoting a stir among the bride's family and friends. And they definitely shouldn't be gay. 1999 Directed by Jamie Babbit. The costume and set design of the film highlighted these themes using artificial textures in intense blues and pinks. This whimsically edgy comedy follows teenager Megan (Natasha Lyonne), whose suburban existence filled with friends, cheerleading, and all-American fun is upended when her straight-laced parents suspect she may be a lesbian. In addition to the trailer, it features an interview with Jamie Babbit and behind the scenes footage. Megan is an all-American girl. Nikki Sullivan in A Critical Introduction to Queer Theory says that this rediscovery is shown to be difficult and unsuccessful rather than the natural discovery of their latent heterosexuality. She wanted the production and costume design to reflect the themes of the story. "But I'm a Cheerleader" is not a great, breakout comedy, but more the kind of movie that might eventually become a regular on the midnight cult circuit. The True Directions program involves the campers admitting their homosexuality (step 1), rediscovering their gender identity by performing stereotypically gender-associated tasks (step 2), finding the root of their homosexuality through family therapy (step 3), demystifying the other sex (step 4), and simulating heterosexual intercourse (step 5). With the help of ex-gay Mike, they surprise her with an intervention. But I M A Cheerleader Analysis. [5], Babbit recruited Clea DuVall, who had starred in her short film Sleeping Beauties, to play the role of Graham Eaton. Maggie, 19, works at a lesbian/LGBT bookstore. [35] Stephanie Zacharek called it a "Waters knockoff"[29] while Ebert said that Waters might have been ruder and more polished. But I’m a Cheerleader: A Brief Textual Analysis. But I'm a Cheerleader is a 1999 American satirical romantic comedy film directed by Jamie Babbit and written by Brian Wayne Peterson. She used the story of a young woman finding her sexual identity to explore the social construction of gender roles and heteronormativity. [3][4] According to Babbit, their one-sentence pitch was "Two high-school girls fall in love at a reparative therapy camp. However, when she discovers that her new friends are lovers she finds herself caught in a complicated situation. [7] Available on iTunes, Pluto TV, Prime Video, Tubi TV, Plex Megan (Natasha Lyonne) considers herself a typical American girl. 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. Rated R for strong language and sexual content involving teens, Words on Bathroom Walls & The Best Movie High School Love Stories, A Celebration of LGBTQ+ Stories On Screen Watchlist, What to Watch: LGBTQ+ Titles Available to Stream on IMDb TV, Women Make Film: A New Road Movie Through Cinema. But I'm a Cheerleader ; Where to watch. But I'm a Cheerleader was Babbit's first feature film. By: Travis Homenuk. The film premiered on September 12, 1999, at the Toronto International Film Festival and was screened in January 2000 at the Sundance Film Festival. [5] She had seen and enjoyed Babbit's short Sleeping Beauties and was eager to work with the director. [23], The film was a hit with festival audiences and received standing ovations at the San Francisco International Lesbian and Gay Film Festival. But I'm a Cheerleader is a smug little comedy that tries to mock other people's self-righteousness while ignoring its own. But I'm a Cheerleader is a 1999 American satirical romantic comedy film directed by Jamie Babbit, which was first released at the Toronto International Film Festival on September 12, 1999 and theatrically by Lionsgate Films on July 7, 2000. [3] She had previously directed two short films, Frog Crossing (1996) and Sleeping Beauties (1999), both of which were shown at the Sundance Film Festival. With Natasha Lyonne, Clea DuVall, Michelle Williams, Brandt Wille. Was this review helpful to you? The soundtrack has never been released on CD. We let you watch movies online without having to register or … Chapter Headings, a semi - official version: There was a much more longer version of Megan masturbating. [45] Also that year it was nominated by the Political Film Society of America for the PFS Award in the categories of Human Rights and Exposé, but lost out to Remember the Titans and Before Night Falls, respectively.[46]. When Mary finds out, Megan, now at ease with her sexual identity, is unrepentant. [7], Babbit made a conscious effort to cast people of color for minor roles, in an effort to combat what she describes as "racism at every level of making movies. But I'm a Cheerleader Will Megan be turned around to successful heterosexuality, or will she succumb to her love for the beautiful Graham? Find all 14 songs in But I'm a Cheerleader Soundtrack, with scene descriptions. [28], The overall theme of reviews is that it is a heartfelt film with good intentions, but that it is flawed. LGBTQ 2000 1 hr 25 min. [7][18] It closed after eight weeks, with its widest release having been 115 theaters. But I'm a Cheerleader is a 1999 American satirical romantic comedy film directed by Jamie Babbit and written by Brian Wayne Peterson. [9] She was not the first choice for the role of Megan. She has a boyfriend. [34][35] Mick LaSalle called Lyonne wonderful and said that she was well matched by DuVall. Natasha Lyonne as 17 year old Megan (the heroine of the story) demonstrates amazing qualities of acting in a role which is probably the most demanding any actor or actress can face: that of a changing adolescent personality re-discovering one's inner, formerly suppressed unconscious self over two months, while still remaining herself in a way. "[8] Babbit wanted the film to represent the lesbian experience from the femme perspective to contrast with several films of the time that represented the butch perspective (for example, Go Fish and The Watermelon Woman). Although the lead actors were praised for their performances, some of the characters were described as stereotypical. [14] A critique of the MPAA's rating system, it suggests that films with homosexual content are treated more stringently than those with only heterosexual content, and that scenes of female sexuality draw harsher criticism from the board than those of male sexuality. The stories and characters show different sides and situations, making it ultimately more real and relevant to more people. [38] In contrast, LaSalle said that "the picture manages to make a heartfelt statement about the difficulties of growing up gay" and Timothy Shary said that the film openly challenges homophobia and offers support to teenaged gay viewers. Megan and Graham sneak away one night to have sex and begin to fall in love. "[37] David Edelstein said that the one sidedness of the film creates a lack of dramatic tension and calls it lazy counterpropaganda. Sold by: LiquidationFactor. But I’m a Cheerleader is another – and probably the only movie in film history to have a happily ever after tied to a story about two ladies who fall in love at conversion camp. Babbit says that she was able to get a lot of the cast through DuVall, including Natasha Lyonne and Melanie Lynskey. But I’m A Cheerleader – Arrives on Digital 4K Ultra HD December 8th! [19] Other than the theatrical trailer, it contains no extras. Save with Used - Good. The film has since garnered a cult following. FMovies | Watch But I'm a Cheerleader 1999 Online Free on Fmovies.to FMovies is top of free streaming website , where to watch movies online free without registration required. Get a sneak peek of the new version of this page. [32][33] Roger Ebert rated it three stars (of four) and wrote, it "is not a great, breakout comedy, but more the kind of movie that might eventually become a regular on the midnight cult circuit. #askherfilm", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=But_I%27m_a_Cheerleader&oldid=1013680212, American coming-of-age comedy-drama films, Articles containing potentially dated statements from December 2011, All articles containing potentially dated statements, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License, "If You Should Try and Kiss Her" (Ealom, Hill, Greene, Albert) performed by Dressy Bessy, "Trailer Song" (Courtney Holt, Joy Ray) performed by, "The Swisher" (Dave Moss, Ian Rich) performed by Summer's Eve, "Together Forever in Love" (Go Sailor) performed by, This page was last edited on 22 March 2021, at 21:42. LaSalle described it as clever and eyecatching and James Berardinelli called it a standout feature. To many viewers this is probably not much more than a well-made, feel-good satirical comedy about teenage homosexuality and adult homophobia mixed with some heart-warming moments, and indeed it serves that function of somewhat superficial entertainment well. When originally submitted to the Motion Picture Association of America rating board, But I'm a Cheerleader received an NC-17 rating. It went on to play at several international film festivals including the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras festival and the London Lesbian and Gay Film Festival. A naive teenager is sent to rehab camp when her straitlaced parents and friends suspect her of being a lesbian. [5], Gender roles are further reinforced by the tasks the campers have to perform in "Step 2: Rediscovering Your Gender Identity." It was inspired by an article about conversion therapy and her childhood familiarity with rehabilitation programs. Over the course of the program, Megan becomes friends with another girl at the camp, Graham, who, though more comfortable being gay than Megan, was forced to the camp at the risk of otherwise being disowned by her family. Her mom's getting divorced and has invited herself to stay with Maggie. If you watch carefully, this is an incredibly honest, revealing and touchingly sensitive film on teenage identity crisis and identity search interacting with social influences. Like the recommendations for But I'm A Cheerleader? [3] Babbit briefly considered Rosario Dawson as Megan but her executive producer persuaded her that Dawson, who is Hispanic, would not be right for the All-American character. Her parents and friends get suspicious and she's sent off to a place where 'straight is great', a place that aims to de-gay people. Football player, Jared daughter 's homosexuality original songs, it features an interview with Babbit. 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