Lame and cliched
Peter Ingemi | Worcester County, Massachusetts United States | 12/17/2009
(2 out of 5 stars)
"But I'm a cheerleader is a story about bigotry and redemption, however not the way it intends to be.
Natasha Lyonne plays a cheerleader from a Christian family who is a tad different, she notices her voluptuous fellow cheerleaders, has photos of women in her locker, and doesn't like the very heavy tongue.
So of course being good Christians they send her off to a re-orientation camp to be forcibly changed by a wicked stepmother type (Played WAY over the top by Cathy Moriarty) and her assistant Ru-Paul without the drag.
The collection of students are, you guessed it stereotypes as well as are the other parents. The lead characters are wooden and totally uninteresting with performances to match. Both Moriarty and Ru-Paul however make the best of what they have and are responsible for most of the worthwhile moments in the entire film. Moriarty's "Foreplay is for sissies!" moment is laugh out loud and that entire scene is just plain funny. Likewise Ru-Paul playing a "formally gay" man just shines in physical comedy moments and scene setups.
But mostly the entire picture is about self righteousness. Not of the films "villains" but of the filmmakers. It is a peon to Hollywood's imaginary image of Christians, how they act, how they think and the brave and oh so tolerant folks who oppose them. It tries to slap you in the face saying HEY we are funny, and cutting edge and brave to make this movie and if you don't think so you just are just a bunch of ignorant hicks.
In the niche market that is was meant for I suppose it has fans but unless your view of the world is driven by Air America then this really is not for you.
"