But I’m a Cheerleader

Part of Loft Staff Selects, a monthly series showcasing film favorites chosen by our amazing Loft Cinema staff!  This month’s film was chosen by Arianna Miller!

Megan (Natasha Lyonne) considers herself a typical American girl. She’s super popular, she excels in school and cheerleading, and she has a handsome football-playing boyfriend, even though she really isn’t that crazy about him. So she’s stunned when her parents decide she’s gay and send her to True Directions, a “homosexual rehabilitation” boot camp meant to alter her sexual orientation.  While at True Directions, Megan becomes the perfect camp resident and can’t wait to go straight … that is, until she meets a rebellious and unashamed teen lesbian, Graham (Clea DuVall).   Though confused, Megan starts to have feelings for Graham, and things are about to get interesting.   Can Megan come to terms with her sexuality, storm the camp and get the girl?   Does a cheerleader shake her pom-poms in the woods?  A hilarious, candy-colored teen comedy that uses a healthy dose of John Waters-style camp to skewer everything from gender roles and sexuality to the religious right and gay conversion therapy, But I’m a Cheerleader also features an all-star comedic cast, including Cathy Moriarty, Melanie Lynskey, Bud Cort, Mink Stole, Michelle Williams and RuPaul! (Dir. by Jamie Babbit, 1999, USA, 91 mins, Rated R)