But I’m a Cheerleader – Film Review
At the current
times, gender issues may be a norm among the society and people living within.
LGBT is known for its’ discrimination and stereotyping by the people who are
structured to be living in a particular believe system. The carving of people
of the yesteryears has allowed people living in this generation to judge people
in relation of LGBT, assuming the act of it is wrong. Somehow, this issue in
gaining awareness and is being looked at from every perspective and has been
receiving a new point of view from people of this generation and elders of
previous generation, partially. This review is about the Queer Cinema in
conjunction to the issue spoken and at the same time looking into how it is
varied in the movie “But I’m a cheerleader” (Jamie Babbit, 1999).
Queer Cinema is a
theory or concept that was implemented in 1991, in the Toronto Film Festival. The
concept of Queer reviews the image and portrayal of homosexuality in every
perspectives. This theory portrayed the sides of homosexuality in films which
then was brought to mainstream cinema. Films like Hitchcock’s rope showcased
the different type of homosexuality, breaking stereotypes and showing audiences
that homosexuality doesn’t mean submissive and can be rebellious. In the 90’s
the fear of AIDS provided the tendency for the New Queer Cinema to establish
itself to a higher level which was used to identify gay and lesbian by the
Americans. The theory basically focuses on the audience reception towards the
matter. For example, how a straight person looks into the character in a movie
who isn’t straight, then how a non-straight person looks at the character in a
film and according to audiences and filmmakers perspective accordingly. Furthermore,
the issue emphasizes on normality by breaking stereotyping format and explains
the positive side of Queer and criticism headed towards the issue and also
teaches audiences to look at the theory from a new perspective.
In terms of the
film, “But I’m a cheerleader”, the film tells about Megan (Natasha Lyonne), who
is a normal American teenager. She lives the casual lifestyle of being a good
student and a cheerleader with an athletic boyfriend. After a while, she loses
her interest on her boyfriend sexually which is labeled as lesbian and discriminated
by her friends around. Her parents send her for rehabilitation over the issue
which questions about her sexual preference and allows her to belief that she
is a lesbian. In midst of rehab, her perception towards the issue changes as
she meets and gets to know more people in relation to the issue. Later, her
sexual orientation is tested as she falls for a girl in the school.
Firstly, the film
has been clearly used the Queer Cinema theory based on the topic being focused
in the story, which is related to LGBT. The concept of discrimination and
stereotyping could be witnessed by people of Megan’s surrounding based on the
act and behavior towards her. Furthermore, the school organized clearly portray
the lack of acceptance by the people of the yesteryears. Somehow, Jamie Babbit’s
brilliance in portraying and building the character of Megan has provided a
different perspective while the audiences are engaged throughout her journey in
the film. The engaging technique is applied in the initial stages of her being
in the rehab school. The statement of “Admit you’re homosexual” repetitively
allow the audiences to question themselves and indirectly engage with the
character. In conjunction to that, the perspectives of audiences changes and
may reflect to how they observe the character Megan from different point of
view, may it be from a straight person perspective or a homosexual perspective.
To add on, in the film, during the introduction of her admission in school and
each other introducing one another allows audience to understand different
perspectives of individual from both male and female. As the movie goes on and
Megan starts getting closer to Graham, the portrayal of her teacher teaching
that normal sexual behavior is accepted goes by for audiences to understand that
it is unfair and illogical morally to act disgustingly openly but not accept LGBT.
Finally, the act of Megan to pursue Graham during graduation symbolized breaking
stereotype which is metaphorically explained by director and filmmaker Babbit
does deserve credit.
The film is made in a more dramatic and comedic
way to encourage people to observe the issue from their own perspective freely
and has accomplished the task of doing so. Furthermore the filmmaker has
succeeded in conveying his message and providing a question for the audiences
to answer regarding the issue in the story. Finally, this topic may be hard to
accept and be considered inappropriate by certain parties but needs acceptance
as individuals in relation to the issue do not harm in anyway as compared to
lustful addicts who goes around to rape. More films like this should be allowed
to be made and brought into mainstream cinema locally and globally to educate,
inform and create awareness among people of this current generation.
References :
Roger Ebert ( July, 2000). But I’m a Cheerleader. Retrieved
from:
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