But I'm A Cheerleader is one of those movies that works ONCE, I remember watching it about four years ago and enjoying it tremendously, it's very much a John Waters inspired movie, with strange quirky characters and the addition of Water's favourite actress Mink Stole. Sadly my more recent viewing had me asking the question why? It simply does not have the charm second time round, I could not even raise a smile for the movie that made me laugh so much previously. I don't believe it's because I have grown up, or my taste matured, maybe if I had been 18 last time I saw it then this would be a logical conclusion, I still enjoy a little light hearted cheesiness as much as the next person.

The movie is fantastically kitsch with lurid colours brightening every scene, it's a very 60's inspired piece, not just in the use of colour, but in the costumes, music and outlook towards the future. A major part of the story involves Megan being sent to a school owned by Mary J. Brown (Kathy Moriarty) where children are taught to be straight, Mary has some very traditional views about life, very 60's inspired views.

Ironically the effects of the "straight" school have the opposite effect, in fact making Megan realise despite her original objections that she could in fact be a lesbian. This is a fact solidified when she begins to fall in love with another girl. 

The movie has some nice detail to the boys and girls of True Directions (the name of the straight school) and that is in the boys who particularly seem to go out of their way to play it straight, although they have the odd relapse. The boys and the viewers have a rarity in their teacher in that he is played by Rue Paul Charles, whom for once plays a male role; trouble being all True Directions boys' lust over him. While on the girls side they lust over each other training their sexual obsessions by electrocuting themselves.

There is some nice casting, then teen angel now disturbed actress Natasha Lyonne (who's recent private life turned comedy last year) is charming, clean and pure here; and you get a reminder of what a good actress she used to be before her life troubles weighed her down. Lyonne was born the same day as star Heath Ledger, which leads us to second lead star Michelle Williams (the mother of Ledgers child and one time potential wife) here as Kimberly she provides solid groundwork as Megan's friend. Harold & Maud star Bud Cort stars as Megan's father who may be the cause of her lesbianism, while Mink Stole does her usual best as Megan's mother. Clea DuVall stars as Graham (odd name for a girl) Megan's straight school lover. While old video nasty star Richard Moll offers some camp help as a True Directions reject.
With Julie Delphy as the lipstick lesbian, and Kathy Moriarty as Mrs Brown. The cast list is long with varied performers from a variety of backgrounds both serious and the ultra-camp.

The movie is directed by Jamie Babbitt and was one of her first features, a keen lesbian activist she is the helmsperson on successful US series The Gilmore Girls as well as the first source of director for lesbian inspired issues in popular shows like Nip/Tuck, Gossip Girl, and Wonderfalls. Most recently found as a guest director on lesbian drama The L Word, Babbit having broke her teeth in movies is a top name in TV.

I can't recommend the purchase of But I'm A Cheerleader because it simply does not have the same power on a second viewing. But as a one of TV viewing or DVD Rental this is definitely one to watch.