But I'm a Cheerleader!

Okay, so I left off the reviews because I'm super lazy, and back in school, it's hard to find the time to watch/ listen/ research and write. But then I got an email from someone saying they missed the reviews, asking when they would be back. And that is how reviews came back into being.

"I'm a homosexual!" As is life, the fun in "But I'm a Cheerleader" begins with those words. I love this movie so much, and I always have. I watched it first with Ms. Biffle, and she already knew the words. Since we missed the first part, she summarized it, complete with interpretive dance.

I personally believe this movie should be required for all baby dykes within the first month of watching. I watched it before I came out, and I was awkwardly attempting to be all lusting after my current boyfriend and avoid liking her. At this point, we were consciously avoiding romantic situations and any physical contact- seriously closeted, basically. I spent my nights awake, wondering if I could go on like that, if I should come out or just keep trying to be straight. I really needed this movie, because I needed to laugh at my situation, needed to see overdramatic reactions I probably wouldn't get, and I really needed to see some cheesey, super-saturated rainbow love prevail.  That's why I say baby dykes need to see it- after coming out of the stinky closet, you need to remember to laugh. You need to remember that decisions should be your own, and you should do what's right for you. You need an absurd reminder that not all girls wear pink and you can be a cheerleader and a lesbian. You need a reminder that gender roles and sexuality are so much more complex than the heteronormative world really lets people know. It also reminds you that there isn't one way to be a lesbian, and the movie says so in so many words.

In fact, one of the most touching moments is when Jan, the bull dyke, suddenly realizes she isn't a lesbian. It was a bit of an eye opener, and you really feel for her.

After watching this again- more than a year later after the first time- I can laugh at it more. I laughed the first time- a lot- but now I can be more open. No more nervous tittering and hoping to God that nobody suspects- open guffawing every thirty seconds. This movie is truly hilarious in how ridiculous it is, and it really is a breath of fresh air, especially in a world of tragic lesbian movies.

That said, there are stereotypes galore, especially with the gay boys- most of them are lisping and effeminate, while the lesbians are more diverse. Even that is done to the extreme for comedic effect, but I kind of wish they did the same thing with the lesbians- made them as butch as possible, wearing flannel and such. It would have been funny- but it also would have messed with the whole "our protagonist is femme and that's why she didn't get it" thing, which is inarguably the biggest plot point.

There was one line that hurt when I first watched it, and still stings a little. From the bitter failed gay boy, told he's not straight enough- "Congratulations liars! You know who you are and you know who you want! Ain't nobody gonna change that!" Every time he says it, he calls me out for trying so damn hard to be just another straight girl. Every time, he makes me glad that I finally recognized that that's just not the life for me- a life of pretending just doesn't work in the real world. And when it does work, it's miserable.



So yeah, watch this movie and laugh. Watch it and be really surprised when you learn something about yourself. Watch it and hate the color pink for at least a week.