If you like movies about awkward moments and incredibly outdated social opinions, then “In & Out” is a must-see for you. “In & Out” is a 1997 movie directed by Frank Oz starring Kevin Kline, Joan Cusack, and Tom Selleck.
“In & Out” is one of those movies where you don’t have to think to enjoy it. Just sit back and enjoy it for what it is- a hilarious movie with a long kiss between Kevin Kline and Tom Selleck.
In the film, Kevin Kline plays student-loved English teacher Howard Brackett. A few nights before marrying a fellow teacher (Cusack) whom he had been engaged to for 3 years, he was watching the Oscars because one of his former students was nominated for Best Actor. Naturally, the entire small, conservative town was watching, too, as they all knew him as well. He won Best Actor, of course, and went on to thank one of the bravest men he knew- his gay English teacher from his hometown. Brackett, his fiance, and the whole town is in complete shock as their opinions about Mr. Brackett suddenly change. Tom Selleck plays a homosexual entertainment news reporter who comes to cover the story in the small town.
The entire film is about Howard Brackett questioning his life and his masculinity and also about dealing with all of the sudden attention.
Arguably, the biggest problem with this movie is the fact that its funny in a way that the writers didn’t intend. Looking at it from today’s opinions on things like the equality between men and women and society’s views on homosexuality, it is hilarious to hear things like “No son of mine is gay,” and, especially, “You need to hire a lawyer. A real one, not one of those women lawyers.” It’s debatable whether or not this flaw in the source of the humor is a problem, but the movie is more funny for the lack of political correctness as opposed to the comedy actually present.
There are scenes, however, that are just purely funny regardless of how you are watching it. A scene where Brackett listens to a tape on how to capture your masculinity is a gag that has been done many times before, but it works so well.
This film is corny and predictable, but it’s charming at the same time. Kevin Kline does a wonderful job playing the man questioning his entire life, Joan Cusack is hilarious as the “once fat, now crazy” fiance, and Tom Selleck is a pretty convincing gay guy. Throw in Debbie Reynolds as the overbearing mom who just wants to have a fancy wedding (because it’s “like heroin to her”), and you have the right combination for a knee-slappin’ good time.
It’s also important to remember how groundbreaking this movie had to be for its time. It showed homosexuality as something to be accepted, and gay men as important equals in society. Also, these lessons are right in the forefront so it doesn’t take much digging to get them.
On a scale of 4 stars, this charming movie gets 3.