“I loved Clueless,” director Jamie Babbit told Variety recently. I wanted to make a gay Clueless.” And so But I’m a Cheerleader was born. It’s the story of teenage Megan (Natasha Lyonne in a breakthrough role), sent to the True Directions conversion camp by her concerned, conservative parents to straighten her out. But hanging out with a bunch of queers for two months does not have the intended effect…
Decked out in Barbie pinks and blues, and saddled with a blatantly homophobic R rating, But I’m a Cheerleader didn’t get a lot of love from film critics in 1999 but has since become a treasured gay classic, not least for the iconic casting RuPaul as one of the reparative counsellors. You might also spot Michelle Williams and Julie Delpy in small roles.
Staff Pick: Eirinn, Gemma, Jana & Perry
That this doesn’t feel like the gender studies lesson it is, is mostly down to the tone of intelligent mischief, punctuated by tender moments when illicit romance beckons. First rate performances all round.
Sue Sharpe, Time Out
Media Partner
Jamie Babbit
Natasha Lyonne, Clea DuVall, Michelle Williams, Ru Paul, Bud Cort, Mink Stole, Melanie Lynskey, Cahty Moriarty
USA
1999
English
Book Tickets
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Credits
Screenwriter
Brian Peterson
Cinematography
Jules Labarthe
Editor
Cecily Rhett
Original Music
Pat Irwin
Production Design
Rachel Kamerman
Art Director
Macie Vener
90s, Baby!
Ten years. 11 weeks. 90 films from the 1990s. This summer, 90’s Baby! takes a deep dive into a defining decade of cinema.