Because I was so blown away by the wonderful work of Natasha Lyonne in Russian Doll, I went back and watched her earlier work. In particular, I viewed — for the first time — the 1999 film But I’m a Cheerleader.
I became intrigued by the difference between the reception this film received 20 years ago. Back then the reviews were almost universally negative, whereas today it is lauded as one of the most important films in the gay cinematic canon.
Clearly it is not the movie that has changed. It is we who have changed. But what has happened in the last two decades to cause such a radical reassessment of the very same work?
I think this question raises all sorts of issues that go beyond a single movie. In fact, this question touches on the issue of how a society evolves and becomes more enlightened over time.
More tomorrow.