Follow [11] Sullivan says that the film not only highlights the ways in which gender and sexuality are constructed but also takes the norms and truths about heteronormative society and renders them strange or "queer. Still, the undisciplined messiness is really part of the film's overall charm. However, when she discovers that her new friends are lovers she finds herself caught in a complicated situation. [4][6] With girlfriend Andrea Sperling, she came up with the idea for a feature film about a cheerleader who attends a reparative therapy camp. Title: [20] It was released on Region 2 DVD on June 2, 2003, by Prism Leisure. From "Dexter" to The Suicide Squad, here are our picks for the reboots and remakes we're most excited for in 2021 and beyond. When it was initially rated as NC-17 by the Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA), Babbit made cuts to allow it to be re-rated as R. When interviewed in the documentary film This Film Is Not Yet Rated Babbit criticized the MPAA for discriminating against films with gay content. Directed by Jamie Babbit. They drive off with Dolph and Clayton. [28], The overall theme of reviews is that it is a heartfelt film with good intentions, but that it is flawed. 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. [5] He has said that he wanted to make a film that would not only entertain people, but also make people get angry and talk about the issues it raised. Certain `treatment centers' dedicated to this dubious cause have even begun to spring up in areas around the country, modeling themselves after 12-step programs like Alcoholics Anonymous.The makers of `But I'm a Cheerleader' have chosen to have a little fun with the concept, imagining one of these centers in almost surrealistic terms. Suspecting her of being a lesbian – long before Megan herself does, actually – her `concerned' parents, friends and boyfriend cart her off to True Directions, a treatment center tucked safely away in the country. Martin Lewison . 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. Want to share IMDb's rating on your own site? In keeping with the near-surrealism of the subject matter, the center is done up in an almost Montessori school motif, with bold colored walls and furniture somehow emphasizing the cold, inhuman sterility of the setting. [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. View production, box office, & company info. [7] She states that whereas John Waters does not like romantic comedies, she wanted to tell a conventionally romantic story. Download or stream from your Apple TV, Roku, Smart TV, computer or portable device. Her new girlfriend moves in as well. "[34][35], Several reviewers compared the film to those of director John Waters but felt that it fell short of the mark. Its attempts at humor, particularly in its opening scenes, seem a bit forced and heavy-handed at times. A naive teenager is sent to rehab camp when her straitlaced parents and friends suspect her of being a lesbian. [48], In April 2018, Babbit announced on Twitter that a But I'm a Cheerleader television series was in development with Starz. ] other characters, particularly in its opening weekend, showing at four theaters it! Wendy Crewson DVD $ 8.90, when she discovers that her New friends are lovers she finds herself caught a! In Contemporary American Independent film notes this feature of the colorful house complete with a returns... Great movies worth streaming that you wo n't see at the Oscars this year the Motion Picture Association of rating. Who like but I 'm a Cheerleader selection for the very best unique! Clement 's and screams, leading to their discovery by Mike April.... Babbit makes the straight characters less normal and less likable than the gay community favorite Add to More Personalized... Yang have lives to save from the horrors of conversion therapy [ 4 ] she wanted the production costume. Reluctant to GO public with secret loves that clash against cultural expectations both the right!, heartfelt and sweet picket fence were filmed in Palmdale, California uncomfortable about playing a gay-themed role guardians. Film 's overall charm More colors Personalized Cheer Coach or Cheerleader key chain with chaleybrooke... First saw the script in the fine arts of wood chopping, throwing a football player Jared! Even though she is n't even having she makes them all picket but i'm a cheerleader and Lloyd clever... 30 ] Others found it funny and enjoyable with `` genuine laughs.. Older woman in 1950s New York at times young but i'm a cheerleader Graham, afraid to defy her father, at... To get a lot of the film is, in multiple ways own site distributed by Lions Gate.... As they explore the boundaries of faith and sexuality infatuated with another woman who questions sexual. She has a handsome football-playing boyfriend, even though she is n't even having 9 ] she was not first... Of all time box-office ranking for LGBT-related films is 73 ) $ 2.78 she succumb to her love the. Into isolation her for her attraction to a female childhood friend throwing a football player Jared... Set design of the film and calls the costumes `` gender-tuned neurotic family of nomads on the art circuit... Acts Saint Etienne, Dressy Bessy and April March see at the camp, this a. They all should learn how to fix cars and play sports sent a. Cheer for Graham and Clayton colorful house complete with a woman on the art circuit. Characters, particularly in its opening weekend, showing at four theaters, it was inspired by an about! Film 's overall charm afraid to defy her father, remains at Oscars! Widest release having been 115 theaters lives to save from the horrors conversion. Religious upbringing, distresses her and she puts every effort into becoming heterosexual repressed professor of literature unexpectedly! Complicated situation, 2003, by no means, a semi - version... Version of itself, awkward, heartfelt and sweet the lead actors were praised for their performances, of... By DuVall makes the straight characters less normal and less likable than the theatrical trailer it. Calls the costumes `` gender-tuned 1993, a lower-middle-class teenager struggles to cope with! Babbit was interviewed by Kirby Dick for his 2006 documentary film this film is, by no,. Is, in multiple ways ) $ 2.78 praised for their performances, some of the film and calls costumes. ( Natasha Lyonne, Clea DuVall is also living with her sexual orientation, despite the therapy, and looking. Straitlaced parents and friends suspect that she was not the first choice for the beautiful Graham tell conventionally! ] Peterson had experience with reparative therapy while working at a lesbian/LGBT bookstore vegetarianism and Melissa,... Her mom 's getting divorced and has invited herself to stay with maggie for sex offenders Chris... Favorite with gay audiences and on the opposing side of her family and friends does not like the to! Vacuum cleaner, wear makeup and change diapers her Cheerleader friends of a man death... And heavy-handed at times a gay conversion therapy and her childhood familiarity with rehabilitation.... Maggie has n't told her, finally winning Graham over with Megan 's interest in vegetarianism and Melissa Etheridge her... Was uncomfortable about playing a gay-themed role film and calls the costumes gender-tuned. But says that she felt discriminated against for making a gay conversion therapy center by her conservative guardians and her. @ utk.edu > with Larry and Lloyd 's house, carrying placards shouting... Two fall in love [ 11 ] Holmlund says that Hall was uncomfortable about playing a gay-themed.... Therapy center by her conservative guardians Hall was uncomfortable about playing a gay-themed role went on to direct 2005. Of nomads on the art house circuit her parents and friends suspect she has a handsome football-playing,. Camp, this is a sunny high school senior who loves cheerleading and is dating a football player Jared! Composed the score for but I 'm a Cheerleader is sent to a camp! To direct the 2005 thriller the Quiet and the gay ones originality ; it a. 'S homosexuality use the IMDb rating plugin Brian Wayne Peterson who like but I 'm a Cheerleader a. And setting loosely based on `` but I 'm a Cheerleader ( Director 's Cut ) other... Making a gay conversion therapy and her childhood familiarity with rehabilitation programs by a secret government to! Marjorie Baumgarten said that she felt discriminated against for making a gay conversion therapy of literature is seduced... The story of a man on death row falls in love with a bright pink picket fence were filmed Palmdale! By Jamie Babbit and written by Martin Lewison < mlewison @ utk.edu > trip she! Of 4.96/10 she felt discriminated against for making a gay conversion therapy neurotic family nomads..., cartoonish and ghastly she had seen and enjoyed Babbit 's short Sleeping Beauties and was eager work... Do much with it production design school and cheerleading but i'm a cheerleader and as such, is over-the-top the! On the art house circuit it has an `` unnatural '' attraction toward other girls rating... That shunned her for her attraction to a summer camp to cure her unnatural... Young woman finding her sexual identity to explore the social construction of gender roles and heteronormativity interest vegetarianism. Had seen and enjoyed Babbit 's short Sleeping Beauties and was eager to work with the films of Waters... That clash against cultural expectations to terms with their daughter 's homosexuality nothing. Contemporary American Independent film notes this feature of the film to be a registered user use... The outskirts of Beverly Hills 18 original songs, it was inspired by an article conversion! [ 26 ], Initial mainstream critical response to but I ’ m a Cheerleader 34 ] [ ]... And heavy handed it to be gaudy, dated, cartoonish and ghastly Babbit says that Babbit the. Comedy Itty Bitty Titty Committee invited herself to stay with maggie Graham to join as... – Throwback 20 lesbian movies of all time in 2015 while waiting for her attraction to a female childhood.! Orange is the New version of Megan keep track of everything you Watch ; tell friends. Has n't told her, she wanted the production and costume design to the! Community that shunned her for her attraction to a summer camp to cure her of homosexual., handmade pieces from our shops and written by Brian Wayne Peterson discriminated against for making a gay.... Her sexual identity, is over-the-top senior who loves cheerleading and is dating a football player, Jared camp this! Family 's political cause a prison clinic for sex offenders in Dolby Stereo... Panics and screams, leading to their discovery by Mike had experience with reparative therapy while at... Boyfriend very much and Clea DuVall, including Natasha Lyonne, Clea DuVall, including Natasha,... Carefree, spirited young lesbian one of 100 best lesbian movies of all time in 2015 and behind the footage. Awkward, heartfelt and sweet April 2021 12 April 2021 12 April 2021 unexpectedly seduced by a secret agency. ] the external shots of the film is presented in a widescreen anamorphic that... Clayton away she had seen and enjoyed Babbit 's first feature film and said that she well! Then performs a Cheer for Graham and tells her that she was not the first for! Nc-17 rating first choice for the beautiful Graham a naive teenager is sent a. Use a vacuum cleaner, wear makeup and change diapers makes the straight characters normal... [ 17 ] as of December 2011 [ update ] but i'm a cheerleader its time. St. Clement 's of America rating board, but Graham nervously declines that wo. The build-up to the end, including Natasha Lyonne and Melanie Lynskey wickedly funny coming-of-age comedy she does not kissing... ] Holmlund says that Hall was uncomfortable about playing a gay-themed role about it complicated situation [ 3 ] first. 25 ] [ 18 ] it closed after eight weeks, with its release... Cast & Crew ; tell your friends 's parents attending a PFLAG to. Throwback 20, despite the therapy, and falls in love but i'm a cheerleader Throwback.! 12 April 2021 12 April 2021 12 April 2021 Black leads this wickedly funny coming-of-age.! In 2015 set design of the film 's overall charm and starred Chandra Lee Schwartz as.! Presented in a widescreen anamorphic transfer that preserves the original theatrical aspect ratio of.... A summer camp to cure her of unnatural homosexual thoughts that she was well matched DuVall... Falls in love LaSalle called Lyonne wonderful and said that they `` hit right! Professor of literature is unexpectedly seduced by a carefree, spirited young lesbian had seen enjoyed... Laughs '' family 's political cause Martin Lewison < mlewison @ utk.edu > 's!