I know! I know, I am incredibly late! But I’m A Cheerleader came out 23 years ago, but give me a break, I was only three. I wouldn’t have understood a word of this masterpiece, although I probably would have found the colour palette highly stimulating.
I already knew going into this film that I would love it because people I know with good taste in movies do. I also know Natasha Lyonne is a god-like icon; I love everything she does. However, I was pleasantly surprised to see that Michelle “Vote to make [the government] look more like [white women]” Williams has a five-minute cameo mid-Dawson’s Creek era.
I shouldn’t put words into Mrs Williams’ mouth – how rude of me. The real quote from her 2020 Golden Globes speech is, “Women – 18 to 118 – when it is time to vote, please do so in your own self-interest. It’s what men have been doing for years, which is why the world looks like them. But don’t forget we are the largest voting body in this country. Let’s make it look more like us.” It came from a good place but did come across TERF-y. Her words also [may have] encouraged a demographic of white women to vote for Donald Trump with their whole chest. It also comes across… not so great coming from a white woman in general…
ANYWAY, this review is supposed to be about But I’m A Cheerleader, so let me get back to that.
I wish Cathy Moriarty was in every film ever made. The two projects I know her from now are But I’m A Cheerleader and Casper! And, to be completely transparent, that’s just not enough for me.
Melanie Lynskey makes every project she’s in better. I’m so happy she’s found herself in a juicy lead role with Yellow Jackets. This woman has deserved a giant spotlight for decades. She is oh so, so funny in everything with an edge telling you she can do more. She deserves a career like Kathryn Hahn.
RuPaul delivered.
I enjoyed every aspect of this movie. Every element played into a heightened queer experience. It simplified a traumatic experience for the queer community into this superficial game of House that kids play in the schoolyard. It poked fun at gender roles while cleverly asking the audience to evaluate what it means to be straight, not queer. It made hetero society the joke.
Clea DuVall and Natasha Lyonne’s enemies to friends to lovers story was lovely to watch as it blossomed. Although, I felt the climax lacked an oomph. Something was missing from the graduation scene for me. There wasn’t enough conflict – there was no confrontation between Grahm [DuVall] and her dad. I would have enjoyed a bit of back and forth; some external self-confidence defying her paternal restraints. But I’m content with a happy ending nonetheless.
I will definitely be rewatching.
And you can rewatch with me because But I’m A Cheerleader is free with ads on YouTube.