But I'm a Cheerleader (2000)

It’s an especially fun movie from a director and cast who are clearly having a good time allowing themselves to let loose.

All of these films share one commonality, that being a kind of emotional center that humanizes a cast of monsters.

Exactly the movie you think it is, but not the movie you want it to be.

This is one of the best movies I’ve seen in a very long time. You have to go and see this on the big screen.

This almost-inept, often heavy-handed, little "queer" Comedy from 1999 was basically nothing but a contrived, one-note joke that got real tiresome, real fast. I'd say that But, I'm a Cheerleader (BIAC, for short) could've probably been a somewhat amusing little film had the script not been such a inane mess right from the start.Personally, judging from what I saw, I'd say that neither the director nor the blasted screenwriters had the slightest understanding at all when it came to the many subtle nuances of homosexuality. I mean, these guys couldn't have possibly had the least bit of insight into the subject, otherwise BIAC would've surely been destined to become something of a certified cult movie classic, indeed.Megan Bloomfield, a cute, 17 year-old, high school cheerleader, is suspected (for the most preposterous reasons imaginable), by her less-than-enlightened parents, of being 100% lesbian. (Oh, my gosh!) You know, I really wonder how many level-headed parents out there go through this sort of ordeal, trying to determine whether the peculiar behaviour of their little brat indicates sexual deviance from the "so-called" norm? The method taken to get Megan "normal", and back onto the old straight and narrow again, was to promptly send her (thanks to dear old dad & mom) to a ridiculous "reparative" therapy camp aptly named True Directions.Run like a concentration camp by an outrageously strict disciplinary named Mary Brown, it's here that the students (otherwise referred to as homosexual misfits) are put onto a regimental 5 step-program (very similar to that of AA's) that's supposedly guaranteed to convert even the most hardened homo-slut into a perfectly wholesome, happy, little hetero-twinkie in no time flat.And from this point onwards BIAC was nothing but a moronic chant of - 2-4-6-8 - God is good. God is straight. (Ad Nauseum)

I agree with some of the other reviewers who say that "But I'm a Cheerleader" sure had the look of a John Waters film. Part of this, of course, is because Mink Stole (a regular in Waters films) is in this movie. But most is because of the film's extremely non-subtle and cartoony way of dealing with homosexuality and repression.The film is about a high school girl whose family decides (for totally insane reasons) that she's gay and they surprise her by sending her to a camp that vows to 'straighten her out'. Cathy Moriarty runs the place and uses a wide variety of insane techniques to change the kids' sexual orientations--with silly and predictable results.Some potential viewers would not surprisingly be put off by the pro-gay message--though I really think the people who made this film probably couldn't care less about these folks. However, some folks who would embrace the message might also be put off by the sexual tone of the film. While I strongly disagree with the MPAA's original decision to rate the film NC-17, it is still a film that earns an R rating and is not appropriate for all audiences. A good film--just a rather adult one. Subtle it ain't--enjoyable it is.

This movie, But I'm a Cheerleader is geared for those 16 and older. I don't believe movies should tell us whether or homosexuality is/is not acceptable but this movie does educate us into acceptance. I think the movie could reduce the amount of pink (you are not color blind unless you miss the pink). Way too much pink. The you got the bad thought shocker, The movie set contains vivid solid colors, most pink though. All the pink elicits a humorous mood to the story. No matter who we are in this world, we each have our little something to offer and we each should be accepted by each other. Maybe, that is the ultimate lesson of this movie is acceptance, not just from others but ourselves as well. We are who we are and shouldn't be asked to change what is not in our nature. It is kind of like trying to get a fish not to swim. It's okay for a short movie, they could have shorten 15 minutes. I give this movie three thumbs up.

Well, I ran into this small jewel looking through Clea Duvall filmography.I was delighted, much more than any heterosexual -but rather kinky, admittedly- male should have to, by this campy joke about the harshness of a rehab camp for homosexuals.Natasha Lyonne is absolutely perfect in her role as the naive cheerleader, Clea is Clea - I know the rumors, and her list of roles, but I can't help loving her - RuPaul Charles makes for a great, great, great Ex-homosexual trainer and Cathy Moriarty is an headmistress that I can'help but desiring to see as a Mistress (in the sense of dominatrix).Trying to make you smile, this movies makes you realize how much is absurd the whole concept of "straightening the queer" by the means of behavioral modification...It's far from being a "perfect movie" - most secondary characters are sketchy at best, but functional - but it's a good movie, funny and with a grace of his own. There's not much more one should ask for.I recommend it with my whole heart.