But I'm a Cheerleader is the Cozy Queer Joy We All Need | Movie Review w/ Haylee
But I'm a Cheerleader is the Cozy Queer Joy We All Need-
In this episode, Destiny and Haylee discuss the 1999 cult classic film 'But I'm a Cheerleader'. They talk about the movie's cover and how it drew them in, the color palette and its significance in the storytelling, the satirical nature of the film, and its impactful social commentary on conversion therapy.
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Watch the movie for free on YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QtflMRe_K64
📕 TABLE OF CONTENTS 📕
00:00:00 - Podcast Introduction and "But I'm a Cheerleader" Overview
00:03:54 - Analysis of Cinematography and Color Scheme
00:07:23 - Discussion on Satirical Elements and Camp Movie Genre
00:11:02 - Impact on Actors and Director's Influence
00:14:08 - Exploration of High School Stereotypes and Personal Relatability
00:18:43 - Commentary on Religious Institutions and Parental Acceptance
00:22:43 - Character Growth, Predictions, and Gender Representation
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Hi, welcome to Closeted History! Your number #1 spot to learn the Queer and Trans history you never knew! To learn more, check out our website ➡️ www.closetedhistory.com
My name is Destiny (she/they) and I am the creator behind the podcast. Educator, creative, and fellow member of the LG(B)T(Q)+ community. Nice to meet you!
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Full Transcript
Destiny (she/they) (00:00):
Welcome to closeted history, the podcast where we out the queer and trans history that you never knew. I'm Destiny, I use she/they pronouns, and I am joined by my good friend, Haylee.
Today we're going to be talking about, but I'm a cheerleader, the 1999 cult classic, Jamie Babbitt's directorial debut. Starring Natasha Lyonne, Clea DuVall, and Michelle Williams. It since has become kind of like a cult classic, and definitely like a rite of passage, especially as a woman loving woman or femme presenting person, it's definitely a classic. So we're just here to talk about the movie, kind of our thoughts and celebrate, women's history month by talking about a woman loving woman movie. So, Haylee, do you wanna introduce yourself and kind of tell folks about who you are and more about you?
Haylee (she/her) (00:53):
Yeah, hi, Haylee. I used she her pronouns and I was someone who was raised by a mom who worked at Blockbuster during this time period. So I have a lot of opinions on movies during this era. I remember seeing them and really questioning the cover. I remember the poster very vividly in my brain. So this is a great movie and I'm really excited to talk about it with you. We both bonded over this pretty early in our relationship.
Destiny (she/they) (01:15):
Mm-hmm.
Yes. And actually Haylee and I, super strange ended up working together. after not seeing each other for like, I don't know, 20 years, we went to middle school together and then ended up working together and now, uh, we're best gal pals. And here she is on the podcast. So thanks so much for joining me. so yeah, you mentioned the cover and, I guess that's a really good place to start is that definitely
Haylee (she/her) (01:35):
Thank you.
Destiny (she/they) (01:51):
caught my attention as well. she has that like sad pouty, look with her pom-poms and just, it immediately introduces you to the color palette, which, you know, I don't want to say too much, we'll talk more about in a little bit, but yeah, the cover is definitely enticing. What kind of like drew you to it as well?
Haylee (she/her) (02:12):
It's funny because at first I remember seeing this poster and she had a very kind of like, just, blank stare on her face and it being called, but I'm a cheerleader. I was like, Oh, is this like making fun of like blonde people who are cheerleaders? I was like, Hmm. So I kind of wrote it off for awhile. I didn't like have any interest to see it. but then I saw it as sleepover and I was like, Oh, this is way different than I thought it was going to be. It is not about like, a cheerleader who, silly blonde jokes are made about her during it. But yeah, the colors were very interesting.
Destiny (she/they) (02:44):
Yeah, she's definitely not your typical teenager. So anyone who hasn't seen the film or doesn't care about spoilers, it's starring Natasha Lyonne. She plays a teenager named Megan who goes to a rehab camp. it's essentially like conversion therapy, because her parents send her there because they suspect that she is a lesbian like the very first scene. so, you know, we've established the cover.
Haylee (she/her) (03:11):
Hehehe
Destiny (she/they) (03:13):
But from the very first scene, you immediately know that it is not going to be one of those like typical cheerleader movies. And I think that like, it's funny because I want to say that Bring It On came out in the same year. And so I feel like that's kind of why I like wrote it off for while. Like you said, you just thought that it was like some cheerleader movie.
And there were a lot of like, I don't know what to call them, because like Jawbreaker came out, that other cheerleader movie, Sugar and Spice. And so I felt like a lot of those movies were coming out. Um, so I just like, I was like, Oh, you know, I'm not interested in that, but then, you know, as soon as you…
Haylee (she/her) (03:46):
Mm-hmm.
Destiny (she/they) (03:57):
…start the movie, like the very first scene you know, a pair of tits just right in your face. and the very like stark contrast of like the orange, bra, cheerleader kind of set with like the very pale blue background. I just, I, I really, really love the coloring in this movie.
and I feel like it kind of uses that to tell the story as it goes on. I feel like, like in the beginning, with her parents, it's like very like muted colors, like yellow, browns.
You see the orange in the cheerleading outfit, but like that's only in that context. Everything else is like very, very muted. And then as soon as she arrives to the house, that's when like you really see those contrasting like blues and pinks. I feel like the colors that we see throughout the film, like from that point, kind of like tell the story a little bit more. What were your thoughts about the color palette?
Haylee (she/her) (04:58):
Yeah, it's interesting that you talked about all the other movies. I kind of forgot that all those movies, cause like Bring It On came out in 2000. So came out right after this, but like, I probably wasn't watching this movie in 1999. I don't know when I first saw it, but there was a lot. It was such an emphasis on like high school dance cheerleading type of like performance that really made me think like, Oh, this is what happens in high school is you, you join and you do cheerleading, or you do some kind of like dancing thing.
But Jawbreaker was a movie I pretty positive I saw before this one. And they both had very similar colors, clothing wise that the teenagers were wearing. It was very like, saturated colors had like the bright colors with it. so I, I think that's one of the reasons I was really attracted to this at first, cause I liked the movie Jawbreaker and had saw it first.
Destiny (she/they) (05:31):
Mm-hmm.
Haylee (she/her) (05:50):
And I definitely, when they pulled up to that house, it was just like that perfect pink house and it had the perfect like flowers in the front and everything that the boys had were blue. Like everything they had, their beds. I know the scene like later where they're using different tools, all blue, all the girls had all pink. Like I think even the vacuum was pink. Everything that they used was pink and it just looks so like….
Destiny (she/they) (06:11)
Mm-hmm.
Haylee (she/her) (06:16):
…fake in a good way. This looks so like Barbie and Ken Plastic World.
Destiny (she/they) (06:20):
Yeah, I think I was watching like a video essay one time and it said like Tim Burton meets Barbie is like the way to describe that house. And maybe it's just kind of the mid-budget movies like that magic is gone, you definitely don't see movies like that now, but I don't know. I feel also kind of reminds me of Edward Scissorhands. Yeah. Because like the, the houses and like and like how everything's so pastely, but also like so saturated. I don't know that the dichotomy is wonderful. I love it. But, and I feel like maybe I should have prefaced with this. the movie is definitely a satire.
Haylee (she/her)(06:42):
I have that note too! Mhmm.
Destiny (she/they) (07:00):
So we are not laughing or advocating for conversion therapy. And that definitely ties into the storytelling of the color palette being so saturated in every single item, like down to the vacuum being pink. you know, it's really that ridiculous. And so they use that, as a part of the storytelling with the satire.
Haylee (she/her) (07:21):
Would you consider this movie camp?
Destiny (she/they) (07:21):
Um, yeah, it's very campy. you know, I know there are lots of debates about what camp is and what it isn't, but you know, what camp is when you see it and you definitely see it in this movie. and just the way that the movie shows and doesn't tell,
Haylee (she/her) (07:38):
Yeah, as soon as you said that, I just kept thinking about the mom of Rocky. And he's over there dancing and whatever. And she just is like so furious and she doesn't really need I mean, she does say at one point, she gets mad at him for like drinking through the straw and is like, drink this other drink. It's more masculine. Yeah. Drinking like a man. Yeah. By the way, she's great in this movie. The, the mom. Kathy.
Destiny (she/they) (07:43):
Mm. [mockingly angry] Drink it like a man.
Haylee (she/her) (08:02):
How do you pronounce her last name?
Destiny (she/they) (08:03)
Mmm,
Haylee (she/her) (08:04):
Also known as the woman from Casper.
Destiny (she/they) (08:06):
Yeah, Kathy Murr-ar-ty? I have no idea, but she does a wonderful, wonderful performance. And like I've watched some of the behind the scenes and everyone just said that like, she was really, really great to work with and like very adaptive. I feel like she's kind of one of those hidden actors that like,
You forget how good they are until you're like, oh shit. Yeah. Okay. But yeah, her most recognizable role, it probably is Casper, at least for people our age. Yeah.
Haylee (she/her)(08:35):
At least for, yeah. Yeah, also, Natasha Lyonne was only like 17 during the filming of this. I realize that.
Destiny (she/they) (08:46):
Yeah. And it's so funny. she actually, like I said, I watch a ton of like interviews and behind the scenes stuff on YouTube, but she, got the part because she found the script in Clay Duval's car. And she was like, where's my part? And,
You know, Clea Duval talked to Jamie and Jamie was into it. And so they found a part for her and it, it all worked out.
Haylee (she/her) (09:08):
Jamie Babbitt, directorial debut. What a banger. What a good thing to start.
Destiny (she/they) (09:13):
Yeah, I'm wondering what else she directed. she directed Gilmore Girls? Like 18 episodes. She also worked on Silicon Valley, a TV series called Girls. I've never heard of that.
Haylee (she/her) (09:19):
Mm-hmm.
Destiny (she/they) (09:29):
she also directed Russian Doll, which also stars Natasha Leon. And she was the director of A League of Their Own, which is a really, really amazing show. It's one of the best queer represented shows I've ever watched. Like ever. Um, I, and the TV show, not the movie, cause the movie is.
Definitely not that. Yeah.
Haylee (she/her)(09:52):
Yeah, Elliot Page has talked about this movie as well, saying that was really important for him because I didn't know this, but he was also sent to a conversion camp. Yeah, so he kind of spoke out about this movie and how important it was.
Destiny (she/they) (09:56)
Mmm. Oh, wow, I didn't know that either.
Yeah, well, and I mean, since we're talking about it, I think that it is important to kind of note that conversion therapy is definitely still a thing. Unfortunately,
But yeah, I mean, so the film, I love that it takes a topic that is very serious of conversion therapy, obviously still an issue, but it kind of subverts the absurdity of this practice. And that's what makes it funny is that like in what world would it make sense of like, Oh, I'm going to send you to this camp and it'll make you straight. And nothing is funnier than RuPaul wearing a shirt that says straight is great.
I definitely want one of those shirts.
Haylee (she/her) (10:45):
Yeah, we talked about Halloween costume ideas with that.
Destiny (she/they) (10:49):
like talking to Megan in the beginning, he like sits down and he's like, I'm an ex gay Megan.
Haylee (she/her) (10:54):
I need more RuPaul movies is what I need.
Destiny (she/they) (10:57):
Yeah. RuPaul is quite the character, I did notice some of the at the camp like there was plastic on the bed covers and I felt like that was like really indicative of the AIDS epidemic because this movie came out in 1999. I feel like, that was still very present in people's minds. you know, people were afraid during the AIDS epidemic to even touch people. Like I remember that Princess Diana, like when she shook hands with somebody who had AIDS, like that was like, you know, groundbreaking.
But so like in the movie, you also kind of see that context. And I feel like it might be easy to miss if that's not something that you're familiar with.
Haylee (she/her) (11:41):
I was thinking about the scene where they're doing the intervention for her and how they're going to send her to the camp. I love how she has this idea in her head where she's listening, but I have a boyfriend and but I'm a cheerleader and but I make out with him all the time and it's fine. Then they're coming up with things where they're like, you touch me all the time at practice inappropriately and your locker is filled with pictures of women and then the fucking tofu.
Destiny (she/they) (11:45):
Mm.
Haylee (she/her) (12:08):
He comes, he holds up the tofu and he's like, you always try to get us to eat this. And I was like, oh, damn, I really feel called out by that tofu, but.
Destiny (she/they) (12:18):
Yeah.
Haylee (she/her) (12:15):
Yes. But it was very relatable for that to see her like, but I'm doing everything I'm quote supposed to do. Like, why are we here? I go to church with y'all. I am on the cheer team and I have a boyfriend. What else do you want me to do?
Destiny (she/they) (12:22):
Mmm. Yeah. And I think that really speaks to a very internalized experience of being queer, at least one that I feel like I can relate to that, like, I do this, I do this. And still kind of feeling like that, that disconnect from your own self. I think that that, that really just speaks to that experience.
That's part of why I really, really love this movie because it has such impactful social commentary that like really speaks to a lot of these experiences that is done in a way that I think up until that point had never really been done before. and especially like, this kind of representation, is it perfect? No, but like this kind of representation in 1999.
But it is still something to be celebrated in just the way that they create that social commentary by subverting the conversion therapy, by subverting that And just how like ridiculously absurd it makes everything, but in a way that is just like still very digestible because they use comedy to kind of lighten that blow a little bit.
Haylee (she/her) (13:37):
Yeah, I think that's why it's really stuck around for so long and why it still is being talked about and still being, you know, seen by, you know, younger people. I think it really has that. It's comfortable enough to watch where you're not like, it's not like a really graphic drama where you're like, oh, this is like really hard to digest. And it's really hard to see even if it's important. But this movie, you can kind of watch, you can kind of like laugh and
Destiny (she/they) (13:50):
Mm-hmm.
Haylee (she/her) (14:03):
You feel light even though it's a heavier subject matter.
Destiny (she/they) (14:07):
Mm-hmm. Yeah. And I think that like really the, the cinematography with stands time as well. cause just like the way that they use the camera, like the camera work is really, really good. Like when I rewatched it, there were a lot of scenes that I didn't notice initially, like the way that the camera angles change and how that also impacts the storytelling.
Like for example, when they are watching the training video during one of their sessions in the very pink room, Natasha Lyonne's character and Clea DuVall, they're subtly holding hands, kind of holding arms a little bit.
Like it just, it was, it was very, very intimate. And I feel like it really spoke to an experience, especially when I was younger and like figuring out who I was and like, Oh, I like when you touch my arm like that.
Haylee (she/her) (14:58):
Yeah, and I also like the different types of high schoolers that they had at the rehab center. I was like, that's really interesting that they're doing different archetypes of queer people.
Destiny (she/they) (15:06):
Mm-hmm, and again, kind of like subverting that cause like, Dolph, the athlete, he was like, Oh, you know, it feels so good to like talk about it because I can't talk about it with any of the boys. you know, I guess, especially during that time, like a very stereotypical athlete, especially like a dude who plays football, like very heteronormative and they're like, Nope, we're gonna include him in here.
Haylee (she/her) (15:17):
Mm-hmm.
Destiny (she/they) (15:36):
Yeah.
Haylee (she/her) (15:37):
Mm-hmm Yeah, and they had the really like femme presenting woman and then the very like opposite end of that spectrum and talking about What was that scene in that when they're trying to get her to figure out like her root and Or maybe a little before that but they were saying like, oh yeah. Well, I love playing yeah finding your route. Yes
Destiny (she/they) (15:54):
Oh yeah, which is ridiculous in itself. Like, oh, I, I'm gay because my mother wore pants.
Haylee (she/her) (16:08):
Kathy's character, Mary. And she was just like, that's right. That's right. Like, so finding, and then we're like how the mom had to work for like less than a year for Megan's family. And they're like,
Destiny (she/they) (16:19):
Oh, right. And what's really interesting is like something that kind of still happens today is that Mary's character was almost weaponizing that therapy talk of like, Oh, that's it. you don't respect your father because these roles were blah, and just really went on the therapy talk and was weaponizing that against her you know, that's not really what happened. She's just gay because she's gay. Like, but yeah, the root.
Haylee (she/her) (16:51):
Yeah, the root. I also like how this isn't really set in a certain time period. And I love I love that because they're pulling different like, beliefs, like I felt like Mary's character was very like, brought up post war and is very like women have to they're not working anymore. There's no need for us to be working. We're all at home. We all got the goofy skirts on and our pearls and our houses all clean and I feel like every character kind of comes from a different time.
Destiny (she/they) (16:56):
Mm-hmm.
Haylee (she/her) (17:19):
period and like what kind of baggage they're coming into it with.
Destiny (she/they) (17:24):
Yeah, and even when she was describing the feelings, oh, when you see a woman and her, like, smooth legs or like whatever she says, like, she's definitely speaking from experience because she's felt those things. And it didn't really click until you just said that now of like post-war, like very stereotypical roles
Haylee (she/her) (17:30):
Yes, she's...
Destiny (she/they) (17:47)
You know, she's, she's a little closeted gay. so she also feels that too. And you can even tell she's also unsatisfied with that, that she knows that that's what she's supposed to do, quote unquote, but she doesn't really feel that way.
Haylee (she/her) (18:04):
I think she sees a lot of like herself in her son Rocky and that's why she's like extra hard.
Destiny (she/they) (18:09):
And that's why, yeah, that's why she is like drinking like a man. And he's, he's so funny. Like in rewatching it, he's just like, what? Sorry. Like his, his reactions are very, um, animated and it, it definitely makes the character come alive a little bit more.
Haylee (she/her) (18:15):
Hehehe. And when they're doing the test, he like puts down, he's got like a shovel or something and he just like stroking and all the other men who are trying to pass this like hetero and they're all just like, oh God.
Destiny (she/they) (18:43):
And then RuPaul is like always like wanting something you can't have.
One thing that I also wanted to touch on was its commentary on religious institutions that like Megan's parents I think like a lot of parents are well intentioned but not doing the right thing, cause ultimately they're weaponizing their religion to send her to a conversion therapy camp. But I think that like her dad kind of coming around at the end, like going to the P flag meeting, like I really think that was the movie's way of showing that like, religion and queerness don't have to be opposing ideologies or opposing ideas.
Haylee (she/her) (19:33):
I think some of the parents, especially Megan's parents, went from how were other people gonna look at us? We got our daughter doing everything right, but here she is still like a lesbian that's gonna look bad on us, to they're like actively fighting against that stereotype. Being like, we don't have to, our family does have to be a certain way, my family's still great, and they're like talking to other parents about it, specifically the dad. The mom is obviously still a little hesitant, in the end she was kind of hiding, but she was still in the room.
And I thought that was really cool to kind of show a parent kind of making a full circle.
Destiny (she/they) (20:04):
and I'm glad that, not that like, I'm glad that her mom didn't come around, but I'm glad that was shown because I feel like it would be really unrealistic to like, Oh, happy ending. You know, now both parents accept me and we're going to this P flag meeting. Like, you know, that it does take time and I think that not all parents are perfect or families are perfect in the way that, you know, our dynamics impact each other, but that she's there, she's trying. And I think that is really, really important. and was super cool to see.
Haylee (she/her) (20:40):
Yeah, I really loved, so the like, what were they called? It was the people who like used to go to that therapy camp and then they kind of like broke off and formed their own like alliance group to like help those. They're called like Lair Bear, like the main couple. It's like, Lair Bear. I like rewounded a bunch to try to figure out what their real name is. But anyway, their communication when they were like fighting a little bit when Megan first came in, I was like.
Destiny (she/they) (20:51):
Mm-hmm. Yeah, I can't remember, but...
Haylee (she/her) (21:05):
What a great way to show like supportive relationship communication. Cause it was just very like, it just makes me feel like this. And he was like, Oh, I'm sorry. I didn't mean for that. And they just like hug and they're doing it in front of these, like two kids who were just like, basically escaped this camp and then they come over here and they're seeing like, well, they have a nice house, they always have dinner. They support each other and they're helping other people on this new journey. And I was like, what a great way to show that I just love them.
Destiny (she/they) (21:23):
Mm-hmm. Mm-hmm.
Haylee (she/her) (21:35):
Those two are so cute.
Destiny (she/they) (21:37):
Yeah. And again, just that subversion because it's like, here's this, queer couple who, isn't following like those heteronormative, I guess, like roles within the conversation and within the relationship and that like they have a healthy relationship. And so, you know, I feel like people can think what they want to about queer relationships, but like, here is an example of like, are communicating, we are saying how we feel like, you know, it's just a good healthy queer relationship. And that was really good to see on screen- let's talk some more about like kind of Megan and Graham's growth, because I feel like they're kind of like the main protagonist in the film. And obviously Megan, cause we're like, you know, watching her journey from Oh, I didn't even know that I was a lesbian to this like very almost religious experience of like admitting I'm a homosexual, being in a queer relationship at the end that like, I really loved seeing Megan's growth and, you know, it's not like her relationship with Graham was just picture perfect. Like, okay, I'm queer now. Everything's fine. That they had to navigate some parental kind of dynamics together. And I think that was really cool to get to see. And like, you know, a really important part of her journey. What, what were your thoughts about her journey or Graham's?
Haylee (she/her) (23:07):
Yeah, I think. I could definitely see how Megan and Graham fell in love with each other. I can see the kind of like, Graham is very questioning on like, why are we doing things? It could be something simple all the way to like, well, why do you cheer? Why are you wanting to do that? And Megan was very like, cause it's simple and it makes me happy. And she's never like questioned things before, as we know from the beginning, where she didn't know that she was a lesbian. She kind of like, oh, I'm, or she's like, I'm a homosexual, she's got a long line of spit coming down. So yeah, and Graham seemed to be very like, yeah, my parents don't like this and that sucks, but I'm just gonna do what I can and play their game until I can get out of here and do what I really wanna do. Even, you know, at the expense of Megan for a little bit. And Megan really had to show up for Graham because I don't think a lot of people had, I mean, just judging on-
Destiny (she/they) (23:55):
Mm-hmm.
Haylee (she/her) (24:04):
when her parents came in and had that like group therapy. So I think Megan being the kind of like sweet and like shows up for people really enticed Graham. And I think Graham being the very like asking questions and kind of getting her to think more really enticed Megan. And
Destiny (she/they) (24:07):
Mm-hmm. Yeah, they definitely balanced each other well.
Haylee (she/her) (24:24):
Yeah, they-
Destiny (she/they) (24:52):
Yeah, well, and like, it was interesting that I feel like the more Megan kind of came out and became comfortable with herself the more Graham kind of like reclused into herself. That like, it was like a opposite journey happening all at the same time, but then they were able to come together at the end you know, Megan left the camp. She went to go stay with the healthy, happy gay couple.
And then, she's the one who's like fighting for Graham, but like you said, like Graham is the more rebellious one who is like, I feel like more naturally kind of fighting the but you know, she gets scared her parents threatened her inheritance and you know, she, she gets scared. And so she, she has to do what she feels like she has to do, but then it's Megan's kind of like sweet nature that brings her back and reminds her of like who she really is. And they're able to actually be together, which I think is really, really sweet.
Haylee (she/her) (25:59):
That's so true about how they kind of almost had like, at one point it kind of shifted. She kind of turned into herself and she kind of had to start feeling outward. Megan had to in ways that she hadn't, that's so true. Is there, what do you think they're doing after the movie? Like, what do you think happened to Graham and Megan?
Destiny (she/they) (26:11):
Mm-hmm. Um, I want to think that they are just gay and happy somewhere. you know, cause I, I think that there could be some like points of contention for them for sure, like, uh, Megan seems to come from a very religious family. But I think that like, by showing at the end, them kind of like coming around that like.
Haylee (she/her) (26:23):
Thank you.
Destiny (she/they) (26:43):
there could be some balance in feeling like really grounded both with her religion and in herself. And they seem to come from like different socio economic backgrounds. So I feel like maybe that would be a point of tension for them as well, like later on in their relationship. But I think that like we've mentioned Megan really grounds Graham and like kind of keeps her feet on the ground. but then also vice versa that Graham challenges Megan to, to question more.
So I want to think that they're, they're gay and happy somewhere. Um, you know, maybe they, they had some really big fights, but they've worked it out, I hope, what about you? What do you think?
Haylee (she/her) (27:32):
Okay, so I thought about this a lot. Here's what I think. I think after, first of all, scary, scary that they had to do that at such a young age in front of family and friends. And she, I mean, especially Megan, she came back from camp like a completely different person. That would be really scary to go through. But I think after graduation, I think Graham started going to an art school.
Destiny (she/they) (27:34):
Clearly. Mm-hmm.
Haylee (she/her) (27:59):
And I think she went out of state. I want to think like somewhere a little more progressive, somewhere they both felt a little more comfortable. And then Megan also went and she got her like teaching license and she teaches like English or something but she's the cheerleading captain at the high school or the captain or the, what's it called? The coach, yeah, she's the cheerleading coach and the captain, she's like, you can't do it. That seat is mine.
Destiny (she/they) (28:11):
Mm, okay. The coach. She's the coach and the captain.
Haylee (she/her) (28:28):
So she does that for the high school and then Graham is an art dealer and antiquities dealer.
Destiny (she/they) (28:34):
Okay.
Haylee (she/her) (28:34):
So that's why I play it out for them.
Destiny (she/they) (28:36):
And they both have crazy colored hair.
Haylee (she/her) (28:40):
Yeah, they both have crazy hair. They have like a really cute, like one bedroom apartment. And they have like a really ugly dog that they adopted to be kind of like, this dog, no one's gonna adopt this dog. Like, it's like, it's been here for years. And they adopted like this, like wonky looking dog, but everyone thinks it's like actually really cute, because it's so ugly. It's cute.
Destiny (she/they) (28:45):
Mm, okay. And, and septum piercings, cause they got to let everybody know. I guess, we can kind of talk about the a little bit. So, I, I definitely think that this is the queer joy that everybody needs. it does have a happy ending.
Haylee (she/her) (29:01):
septum piercings. Yes.
Destiny (she/they) (29:15):
It's just, it's so rare that you get that. Like, you know, I've, I've talked about it on my podcast before about the bury your gays trope, and honestly, for a lot of queer characters in TV and just in general, that unfortunately they either don't get to be on the show or like what we're seeing right now, a lot of shows are being canceled. Like we mentioned a league of their own. It's not getting a second season and that breaks my So it's really, really nice to get to see a queer joy happy ending with both characters intact.
I have this quote. in the movie they're asked to perform their gender a lot. And RuPaul has this really great quote, “We are born naked. Everything else is drag.”
Haylee (she/her) (30:04):
Oh.
Destiny (she/they) (30:05)
And so I feel like it represents the film really well, that they definitely have to perform their gender and their heterosexuality. I feel like we didn't, we didn't even get to the part where they actually perform their heterosexuality. I have some thoughts about that part. I feel like it just gives me the ick. It's probably the worst part of the movie, but like because it's so cringy, like the absurdity, you know, the satire, it's not bad, but it's just like, whoa.That's... Whew!
Haylee (she/her) (30:43):
the like, glued on leaves on the bodysuit. Ugh.
Destiny (she/they) (30:47):
Oh my God. Yeah, so if you have no idea what we're talking about, cause you've never seen the film, but you're still listening to this episode, thank you. But so there's like a scene where they have to literally perform their heterosexuality by engaging in a simulated sex scene essentially, but they're not actually having sex. They're like, wearing these body suits that have leaves where your private parts go. And then they just like get on top of each other and in the suits and pretend to have sex and then that's it. And it's so funny because like when they're practicing, Mary even says like, like he was talking about like cleaning up or something and she was like, like, oh no, like real men just like, like whack it and jack it or like, I can't remember what she says.
Haylee (she/her) (31:44):
Yeah, they said, they said, what about foreplay? She's like, oh, real men don't do foreplay.
Destiny (she/they) (31:49):
Oh yeah, that's right, that's right. Like real men don't do foreplay, like.
Haylee (she/her) (31:54):
And it was like, she was already mad at the question. Like as soon as he said, she was like, Oh God, don't be ridiculous.
Destiny (she/they) (32:00):
Exactly. So, uh, yeah, that, that part is, is really interesting, but, I would say overall it's a solid movie. has a good happy ending for all the queer folks out there. I watched it with my mom and…
Haylee (she/her) (32:16):
Mmm.
Destiny (she/they) (32:17):
She thought it was hilarious, And so, you know, if you have someone who's in your life, who wants to be an ally, watch the movie with them. definitely recommend it. And, uh, thank you so much, Haylee for being on the show.
And if you've made it this far, thank you so much for listening to Closeted History. I appreciate you and I'll see you the next time, friend.
