In & Out

The performances, particularly from Kline, Cusack, and a very unexpected Tom Selleck, are nothing short of brilliant; the script is both witty and funny and moves a long at a fast pace; and everything about the films leaves you wishing (unless you happen to be hysterically homophobic) that things really turned out like that in real life. Realistic movie? Of course not--but then neither was "Mr. Smith Goes To Washington" or "Meet John Doe" or "It Happened One Night." Kind and clever and witty and lots of fun? Absolutely. And any one who is kind and clever and witty will have lots of fun watching it.


Unlikely High Comedy   October 24, 2003
Martin A Hogan (San Francisco, CA. (Hercules))
19 out of 20 found this review helpful

Given the pretext of a modern 'gay' comedy and the phrases, "gay stereotypes", "queer smaltz" and "hidden agenda" all come to mind. Add to that the sensitive subject of a high school teacher in Indiana being 'outed' on national television and you would seem to have the recipe for an instant disaster.

Director Frank Oz and screenwriter Paul Rudnick turn potential controversy and a touchy subject into a riotous, slapstick comedy with some of the wittiest and funniest dialogue in years. Kevin Kline as the 'possibly' gay teacher and Joan Cusack as the insufferable and patient fiancee are in top form (Cusack was nominated for an Oscar). The supporting cast are all veterans and even Tom Selleck does a turn for the better with his acting.

There is nothing but hilarity, joy and even tenderness between the characters with unexpected twists and character turnabouts that will soften even the most jaded. This is worth seeing if only for Joan Cusack where with a mouth full of bar nuts runs screaming into the street yelling, "Is this the twilight zone?!" Yes, the ending is happy - even more so.


A feel-good riot   October 17, 2001
D. MCGOVERN (New Zealand)
8 out of 8 found this review helpful

What a hoot this endearing comedy is. Kevin Kline is excellent as the high school teacher, who may or may not be gay, but the entire cast is outstanding from Joan Cusack, as his long-suffering fiancee, to Debbie Reynolds, as his wedding-addicted mother. ("I want this wedding," she tells Kline. "It's like heroin.")

Paul Rudnick's wickedly clever script takes its cue from Tom Hanks' real-life acceptance speech at the 1994 Oscars, in which the latter thanked his GAY high school teacher for inspiring him to make the movie Philadelphia. In the movie it is Matt Dillon who makes the same speech after winning the Best Actor Award in another supposedly "breakthrough" gay-themed film. (This movie-within-a-movie is itself a gay parody of Born on the Fourth of July.)

Rudnick's gift for creating memorable characters and hilarious dialogue make this the kind of movie that can be watched over and over again. At the same time, he also achieves what no "serious" gay movie has succeeded in doing: he exposes the absurdity of homophobia. Humour, rather than preaching, is his weapon.

Special mention should be made of Tom Selleck, whose jaded trash reporter is one of his most enjoyable - and daring - portrayals.

A riot from start to finish.


A campy hoot   January 5, 1999
5 out of 5 found this review helpful

Those who enjoy "high camp" may be a tad disappointed by this unusually tender film. Kevin Kline manages to keep a "straight" face throughout his coming out ordeal as Howard Brackett, outed by a former student-come-movie star. Don't miss Joan Cusack as the hapless bride and Debbie Reynolds as the "marriage addicted" mother. Get some popcorn, sit back and enjoy! And above all, don't take it too seriously...


If Only All Propaganda was Done As Well   August 23, 1999
4 out of 4 found this review helpful

If this was propaganda, then I would only hope all propaganada was as intelligently and humorously done. Sometimes it's okay to go to the movies just to enjoy the film, and that's certainly where In&Out fits. A wonderfully fun movie that deals with a sensitive issue and puts it in perspective. Enjoy the film, and stop reading so much into it. We're all people, after all.