A guilty pleasure

Rating: 7/10 (26 January 2002)

I was apprehensive about renting this film, expecting a cheesy, clichÃ© ridden all-American story with a happy ending and a moral (and my reason for wanting to see it basically stretched no further then Eliza Dushku). You should always trust your instincts.
The plot follows the trials and tribulations of Torrance, captain of the cheerleading squad at Rancho Carne high school. Set in suburbia, the film seemed to be the product of the American suburban inferiority complex. The cheerleaders are all shallow shells of people concerned only with winning at cheerleading, regardless of how hollow their glory has been. However, even they are overshadowed in the shallow stakes by the obligatory jocks and the freak parade of the auditioning cheerleader-wannabes. Here all aspects of the Lame White Teenager (tm) are shown, from faux hip-hop to geek robot dancing
The Pantone's, having come from urban LA and therefore being cool, start the film with at least a little substance. Missy is the typical misfit, daring to be committed ("hardcore gymnast"), having a conscience and not having the pretty blonde looks (despite being gorgeous- how was she cast as not being sexy?). This soon evaporates however, and within days of being suburban she is assimilated into the fold. Cliff maintains integrity through the film but is never believable as a character. As an example, punk fans are generally an elitist lot, and the chances of him even bothering to speak to Torrance again after hearing her views on The Clash are slim, never mind tailing her to various cheerleading meets.
The Clovers are obviously put forward as the cool, individualistic characters as being both (a) black and (b) from realer-then-real Compton, are what every hollywood-portrayed suburban kid wishes they were. They are still not given actual personalities though, just stereotypical 'you go girl' attitudes and a great deal of hostility.
At times, the story line practically fell apart. There are several scenes that are nothing more then links to the next part (Missy and Torrance's 'conversation' before she goes to Cliff's room) and others that just don't make sense (why would Missy know the Clovers' routine? Why would she drive over 100 miles to prove her point to a cheerleader she doesn't really know or like?). When you have to rationalise large chunks of the plot to yourself, something's gone badly wrong with the script writing.
However... For all of this complaining, I did watch the film more than once before it went back. It does attempt to be satirical for a good half hour, with the dialogue both mocking the cheerleaders (see the opening cheerleading section) and satirising other films/TV programs whose characters have that strange psuedo-intellectual speech pattern. The interplay between Torrance, Missy and Cliff can work very well (the car wash, the front door, the swings...) and the tooth-brushing scene is the best part of the film.
The best character in the film is the dance instructor, Sparky Polastri. It may be because poor script writing has left you with little sympathy for the cheerleaders, but watching them get ripped apart by such a ridiculous character is funny every time.
Basically, I would recommend this film for a brainless night in. Just don't blame me if you feel dirty after watching it.