In and Out (1997)

Amusing tale of a high school teacher who is outed on National TV when a former student turned actor mentions him as an inspiration for playing a gay role on the Oscar telecast. This was inspired by Tom Hanks mentioning a teacher of his on the Oscars when he won for "Philadelphia." Of course, Tom had permission to do so. This time the actor does it on a whim and the teacher isn't gay. Or, at least, he thinks he isn't. After all, he's about to marry his fiance of 3 years.

Openly gay scripter Paul Rudnick, who has written several "straight" films and the hilarious "Jeffrey," writes and amusing and sweet script here that often goes a bit astray but inevitably warms our hearts. The first act of the film, the set-up gets us into the story and has a few amusing moments. The second act is a real winner that is as hilarious as any film I've seen in a year. The third and final part of the film may wallow in a bit of old time corn syrup, but it comes across as well intentioned and sweet. We like what the film does. It may seem to borrow from "To Wong Foo," but that's okay. We easily forgive it. He also makes way too many Barbra Striesand jokes but he eventually has a punch line for this that is simply side-splitting.

There is a scene, almost directly in the center of the film that is both hilarious and ground-breaking for a mainstream Hollywood film. It's really amazing. I don't want to tell you what happens, because the film's plot depends on you not knowing what is going to happen next, whether the teacher is gay or not. But this moment is a wallop. It hits us like a ton of bricks. It's a moment in film that will be remembered for a long time.

Kevin Kline is perfect as the outed teacher. He has just the right amount of manliness and sensitivity to make us question his sexual orientation throughout the film. Plus he has a spectacular supporting cast. Debbie Reynolds and Wilford Brimley play his parent. They have just the right amount of loving qualities mixed with parental pressure. Reynolds get some really amusing lines. Tom Sellick has just the right amount of self-centered egotism and underlying sentimentality to carry out his role as a TV journalist who admits openly to being gay. Joan Cusack has her best role in ages as Kline's fiance. She wisely overplays her part only when it is called for and her goofy quirkiness suits the plot twists well. Matt Dillion has only a small part as the actor who outs Kline but he really makes the most of it. Bob Newhart plays the wishy- washy principal of Kline's school who stutters and vacillates perfectly for his characters personality. Plus there are cameos by Whoopi Goldberg and Glenn Close.

Director Frank Oz does a simply marvellous job of letting the film evolve. his laid-back approach to the material suits the piece well and we are charmed by it's simplicity and warmth. He takes a few missteps here and there but that is mainly when Rudnick's script falters. For example, there a scene where clips are shown from Dillion's film, which wins him the Oscar is shown on the telecast. These scenes border on farce and might actually work until a stupid joke is made of the film's final scene. It goes to far. The rest of the film is farce so I don't see why this should be. But, overall, Rudnick does a great job here and so does Oz and so does the cast.. This may be the best gay mainstream film that 1997 has to offer.

Note:

Music by Marc Shaiman.

(Review written in 1997)

Report Card

Script: B+

Acting: A

Cinematography\Lighting: C

Special Effects\Make Up: C

Music: A

Final Grade: B+