BUT I’M A CHEERLEADER

US, 1999, 85 minutes, Colour.
Natasha Lyonne, Michelle Williams, Bud Cort, Mink Stole, Ru Paul, Cathy Moriarty, Eddie Cibrian, Melanie Lynskey, Clea Du Vall.
Directed by Jamie Babbit.

But I’m A Cheerleader is a spoof on the issue of sexual identity and orientation. The story comes from director Jamie Babbit, prolific director of television series. It stars a number of young talent at the time, Natasha Lyonne, Clea Du Vall, Michelle Williams as well as veterans like Cathy Moriarty in a very strong role as the leader of an organisation which tries to help homosexually-oriented young men and women to become straight. Also in the cast are Mink Stole, a performer in all of John Waters’ films. Bud Cort who is a veteran from many of Robert Altman’s films of the 60s and 70s. Also drag queen, Ru Paul.

The film is a tongue-in-cheek satire. It focuses on Megan, an ordinary young girl at high school who her parents think is homosexual. They arrange for a trainer (Ru Paul) to meet with friends and family and show her a video giving her all the clues as to her orientation. She decides that she will go to the five-step program run by Cathy Moriarty. The film sends up the image of the trainers, all of whom have some kinks in their own sexual identity. Eddie Cibrian appears as Cathy Moriarty’s son, quite provocative in his presence during the course.

Megan discovers that she does have a homosexual orientation, falls in love with a rich girl doing the course.

There are various stereotypes presented as well as sent up, especially with the young men on the course. There is also a satire with the very butch-looking young woman who in fact is not homosexual.

The film was made at the end of the 1990s, quite a lot happening in terms of acceptance of people and coming out in the years since. The film contributes to a challenge to think about orientation – seriously, but via comedy.

1. A film of the 1990s, sexual identity, orientation, coming out?

2. The satiric tone of the film: the presentation of school, family, treatment for identity, aspects of orientation, stereotypes, alleged cures, double standards and hypocrisy?

3. A film from middle America, the high school scenes, the cheerleaders and sport, friendships, relationships, the school corridors and lockers, cars, homes, parents and their concern?

4. Audience attitude towards the themes: identity, orientation, experience, reality, families and coming out, expectations of individuals, society, therapy and possibilities?

5. Megan, ordinary, her age, loving being a cheerleader, her friends at school, their concern about her, her boyfriend and kissing him, not enjoying it, the photos in her locker, her room at home, the meeting, their showing the video, offering the clues, her photos, behaviour, boyfriend, Melissa Etheridge and gay icons, the puzzle for Megan, her response, the care for her parents, the concern of her friends?

6. Mike, an ex-gay, played by drag queen Ru Paul? His style, dress, behaviour, his T-shirt, the training, in fact his own orientation and whether he was straightened or not?

7. Mary, her institute, her tough style, dominant, Rock and his behaviour, her supervision, strictness, her affirming people in their changes? Rock and his carrying on, participation in the final tests?

8. Graham, her parents, their wealth, her orientation, her trying to subvert the group? In the dormitory, with Megan, their going out to the gay club? Her sullenness, her fears, her agreeing to do the course, her graduation and Megan interrupting it, going off with Megan?

9. Hilary and her style, appearance, upfront, participation in the course?

10. The boys, the boy leaving after the kiss, the young man put in the kennel, the Jewish boy and his self-consciousness, the sissy boy and the stereotype? The camp presentation of the sports activities and their ineptness?

11. The visit of the parents, Graham’s parents and their sternness? Megan’s parents, their attitudes, the mother dominating the father, their plan to cut her off?

12. The nightclub, the singing and dancing, the two men taking the trainees, their help, the arguments, the French girl and the dancing with Megan?

13. Megan being cut off, her leaving the course, going to live with the men? Discovering the young man and his being helped by them? Their arguments and making up?

14. The graduation, Megan dressed as a cheerleader, Mary’s speeches? Her parents and their reaction? Her father going to the parents of gays and lesbians?

15. The points being made – for an ordinary audience, by laughter?