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Film asks, doesn't tell
After a promising start, But I'm a Cheerleader takes too long and avoids saying what needs to be said.
By STEVE PERSALL
© St. Petersburg Times, published September 28, 2000
[Photo: Lions Gate Films]
Natasha Lyonne portrays a high school cheerleader who, family and friends believe, is slipping into lesbianism.
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But I'm a Cheerleader spoofs the notion that gay and lesbian teenagers can (or should or must) be deprogrammed into living heterosexually. It's like a watered-down John Waters movie, rarely abrasive, never shocking and about an hour too long.
Anything director Jamie Babbit has to say about the topic is announced in the first 20 minutes: Brainwashing teens into living sexual lies is silly, hypocritical and more damaging than the alternative. It's a stance that could either rally or offend moviegoers, yet Babbit timidly avoids doing either.
There are promising beginnings. Megan (Natasha Lyonne) is a high school cheerleader who, family and friends believe, is slipping into lesbianism. She's a vegetarian, hangs a Melissa Etheridge poster in her room and can't kiss her jock boyfriend without thinking of other cheerleaders in suggestive slow motion. An intervention is staged, and Megan is taken to a heterosexual training camp called True Directions.
The setting is fine for a short film or late-night comedy skit. True Directions is drenched in gender-dividing pinks and blues, with a stern leader (Cathy Moriarty) who looks like a transvestite imitating Joan Crawford. Her assistant is a proud ex-gay male played by drag icon RuPaul. Their curriculum includes teaching housework to girls and macho games to boys. Amusing stuff, the first two or three times around.
Having stated her case in favor of sexual freedom, Babbit can't decide what to do next. But I'm a Cheerleader proceeds with its comedic potential steadily eroded by repetition. Megan's covert romance with fellow inmate Graham (Clea DuVall) is an obvious diversion. Babbit doesn't make their coupling seem urgent, only the beginnings of a predisposed happy ending.
What's missing is a hint of anger at the idea of sexuality conversion. The staff at True Directions are buffoons from the start, never foes to be taken seriously. Their attempts to steer teenagers straight are depicted with weak double entendres stoking the inmates' natural desires. A little more danger from the "enemy" is necessary for good satire. Otherwise, it's just a stacked deck in a private game with the real losers declared well in advance.
But I'm a Cheerleader
- Grade: C-
- Director: Jamie Babbit
- Cast: Natasha Lyonne, Cathy Moriarty, Clea DuVall, RuPaul, Bud Cort, Melanie Lynskey
- Screenplay: Brian Wayne Peterson
- Rating: R; sexual situations, profanity
- Running time: 84 min.
- Now playing: Tampa Theatre and Beach Theater. The film will be available on home video on Oct. 3.
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