 | ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids. |
 | OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | NOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age. |
But I'm a Cheerleader
- Review Date: July 9, 2006
- R
- Genre: Comedy
- 1999
Common Sense Media says
Gay love satire for mature older teens and up.
Parents say
QUALITY
Kids say
QUALITY
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that this movie depicts teenage gays and lesbians in their first sexual experiences. There's kissing and making out by boys with boys and girls with girls. There's also implied masturbation and one sex scene (handled discretely -- you don't see anything). Teens go to a gay bar called the Cocksucker. Parents reject their children for their sexual orientation and the teens must find a place to live when they fail to become straight. There's also some cursing, smoking, and drinking.
What's the story?
In BUT I'M A CHEERLEADER, Megan (Natasha Lyonne) is an innocent. As she says, "I'm not perverted! I go to church, I get good grades... I'm a cheerleader!" But her parents and friends suspect she has an "unnatural" attraction toward other girls. Their proof? She's vegetarian, she listens to Melissa Etheridge, she has pictures of girls in her locker, and she hates kissing her boyfriend. They whisk her off to True Directions, a campy version of real-life ex-gay ministries, to straighten her out. Surrounded by fey boys and some tough girls, Megan realizes she's attracted to girls and starts a relationship with one of the girls (Clea DuVall). Meanwhile, True Directions instructors Mike (de-dragged RuPaul) and Mary (Cathy Moriarty), try to bring them back into the heterosexual fold with instruction on proper gender roles and talk therapy.
Is it any good?
But I'm a Cheerleader is a satire, and as such, is over-the-top. Girls aren't just girls -- they wear pink and live in sickeningly pink bedrooms. Boys aren't just boys -- they all should learn how to fix cars and play sports. And they definitely shouldn't be gay. But behind all the camp, this is a love story between two girls. It's the classic girl meets girl, girl loses girl, girl tries to get girl back.
But the obvious creepiness of True Directions gets tiring. Director Jamie Babbitt doesn't trust you to understand their icky tactics. Instead, she has Mary "planting" plastic flowers and everyone wearing ridiculously gender-specific colors (pink and blue, natch). In the end, if you can get past the preaching and the campiness, what you have is a love story and a lesson for teens about being true to who you really are -- no matter how strong the pressure is to be otherwise.
What families can talk about
Families can talk about their feelings about homosexuality and the gay reform movement. They can also talk about gender roles and stereotypes, and whether or not they feel the pressure to conform to such rigid standards.
- Show:
- All members
- Parents
- Teens & kids
AGE
One of only a very few movies that approaches being a gay teen in the comedic fashion of most teen movies about straight kids. There really isn't anything objectionable here beyond kissing and occasional sex talk which is actually relatively tame when compared with most films aimed at teenagers. It can be a little heavy handed at times, but in a world where most gay kids struggle to find any representations of their lives (and in which the ones they do find are too often depressingly tragic), it's a relief to see a film that puts them in the forefront, and makes them laugh in the bargain.
Was this review useful?
|
|
AGE
Realistic
this islife you know? homophobic america needs to wake up
Was this review useful?
|
|
AGE
amazing movie for teens my age. my mom suggested this for me to watch with my gay best friend. it was a huge laugh-fest. all in all, i love any movie that pokes fun at religion.
Was this review useful?
|
|
AGE
Could be watched by mature teens
I am 15 and I don't totally understand why this movie has such a bad rating. I didn't find anything too bad about it. There is one sex scene, but it is VERY tastefully done and you can't see too much besideds kissing. It is a comedy, and I think you can't take this movie too seriously. There are a few curse words, but anyone who would watch this wouldn't be shocked by them. If you are a parent and your teen wants to watch this, I would watch some of it first and see if you think they are mature enough. It could open up a good conversation about homophobia.
Was this review useful?
|
|
AGE
NOT as much sex as CSM states. Lovely, funny movie.
Oh, come on, CSM! I think it's very offensive that you gave it 5 lips for sexual activity. I've seen you give considerably fewer lips to movies that were MUCH more sexually explicit. I bet if this had been about a straight couple, it would have received no more than 3 lips. I loved this movie. Unless you're a religious nut who believes that gays should be converted to straight, you will probably enjoy it too. It was pretty tasteful for a movie about teen sexuality, and I would feel comfortable letting fairly young teens/tweens watch it. A lot of the messages rang very true to life, but the humour keeps the movie from hitting too close to the nerve. The main character was pretty, smart, and Christian, and totally oblivious to her sexuality. This is so true for so many people, especially women! I think this movie rests close to my heart because I understand what it's like to spend decades of your life trying to hide or change or ignore who you are. The film helped me realise that you can't choose to be straight; if you're not straight, you can choose to be happy and honest, or you can choose to be miserable, deceptive, and lonely. This is a movie that all teens, especially those unsure of their sexuality, should really watch.
Was this review useful?
|
|
AGE
Sexuality is not wrong or theres got to be something wrong with me
Was this review useful?
|
|
AGE
One of my favorites.
This movie isn't just about homosexuality, it's about love. One of the characters gets sent to a camp after being accused of being a homosexual by her friends and family so that she can become straight. Though that plot seems to be quite dark, the theme is poked fun of and is funny. The sets and props are a riot. A few scenes include masturbation and sex, however they are non graphic, and tastefully done. The best message is to be who you are and love who makes you happy. Would recommend this movie to any family with older teenagers.
Was this review useful?
|
|
AGE
Wonderful coming-of-age movie!
This is a great coming-of-age movie with positive messages for teens. The film contains issues of sexuality and romance between teens, with one scene of kissing with partial nudity. This is a positive and in many ways innocent film and encourages self-confidence, self-acceptance, honesty and compassion. It's fun to watch and eloquent in it's ability to somehow make light of a heavy issue of being young in a world that won't accept you.
The movie is humorous, quirky and and independent -- a nice break from mind-numbing hollywood blockbusters that leave you feeling empty. In contrast, this film is fun and thought-provoking.
If you are against homosexuality, or "afraid your child will turn gay", maybe you should watch the film and learn a little more about people who are different than you.
It's deeply troubling that this movie had an NC17 rating while movies riddled with immature and inappropriate sexual behavior --like American Pie 2-- were rated PG-13. See "This Film is Not Rated" for more on the hypocrisy of the MPAA.
Was this review useful?
|
|
AGE
You are who you are
Great film. Teaches people you are who you are.
Was this review useful?
|
|
| Studio: | Lionsgate |
| Director: | Jamie Babbitt |
| Cast: | Cathy Moriarty, Clea Duvall, Natasha Lyonne, Ru Paul |
| Genre: | Comedy |
| Run time: | 85 minutes |
| Theatrical release date: | July 10, 1999 |
| DVD release date: | July 22, 2003 |
| MPAA rating: | R |
| MPAA explanation: | sexual situations and adult subject matter |
Review It
Great alternatives handpicked by our editors
Already seen it? What do you think?
More from Common Sense Media
Top advice and articles
