But I'm a Cheerleader

But I’m a Cheerleader was Babbit’s first feature film. It was inspired by an article about conversion therapy and her childhood familiarity with rehabilitation programs. She used the story of a young woman finding her sexual identity to explore the social construction of gender roles and heteronormativity. The costume and set design of the film highlighted these themes using artificial textures in intense blues and pinks.

A promising comedy that goes awry all too early, But I’m a Cheerleader concerns a misunderstood high school kid (Natasha Lyonne) whose parents send her to a harsh, homosexual-rehabilitation camp despite a lack of evidence that she’s gay. Ruled with an iron fist by a fascist counselor (Cathy Moriarty), the clinic only drives Lyonne’s character toward an attraction to a rebellious tomboy (Clea DuVall), though screenwriter Brian Wayne Peterson and director Jamie Babbit are curiously intent on keeping the two apart and depriving the audience of other comic possibilities. Meanwhile, hoary clichés abound: prancing boys, butch gays, lipstick lesbians. Despite a fine cast full of young talent, and cameo appearances by Julie Delpy and RuPaul Charles, this attempt to skewer a present-day trend in “curing” homosexuals of their sexual preferences is flattened by stereotypes and unimaginative thinking. –Tom Keogh

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Review:
I absolutely LOVE this movie! i’m a totally straight girl, but i just find it soooo hilarious and the romance between megan and graham is adorable. Of course, when i tell people that its one of my favs, most people assume that i’m gay.

funny & girly
I love this movie, its soo funny, and cute. Such an awesome and funny way to “graduate”.

Here is the “BUT I’M A CHEERLEADER” Trailer. Enjoy.