In last decade or so homosexuality became part of mainstream culture in a way that made many past gay-themed films obsolete. Good example is Jonathan Demme's Philadelphia, film now less remembered for its message of tolerance and more for the tearful "Oscar" acceptance speech by Tom Hanks. The speech was so impressive that it later served as an inspiration for In & Out, 1997 comedy directed by Frank Oz.
The plot begins in small Indiana town where popular high school drama teacher Howard Brackett (played by Kevin Kline) prepares to marry his long-time fiancée Emily (played by Joan Cusack). His bliss is threatened by the action of his former pupil and Hollywood star Cameron Drake (played by Matt Dillon). After receiving "Oscar" for his role of gay soldier, Cameron thanks his former drama teacher who is gay. This statement on national television turns Howard's life upside down - despite his protestations, entire city begins to question his sexuality. Things are getting worse with the arrival of Peter Malloy (played by Tom Selleck), tabloid TV reporter convinced that Howard is gay and determined to help him come out of closet. In the meantime, Howard's friends start to pay attention to his love of poetry, ballet and Barbra Streisand movies, and Howard's job and upcoming wedding are threatened.
The basic idea behind In & Out offered plenty of opportunities for humorous treatment of sexual identity in modern world, namely the way it reflects in popular gay/straight stereotypes. Unfortunately, the film-makers decided to use services of Paul Rudnick, screenwriter whose insufficient sense of humour wrecked The First Wives Club. Surprisingly, In & Out works relatively well in its first half when the protagonist - who still thinks of himself as heterosexual - suddenly starts to find new and disturbing perspective in everything he considered normal. In this part Rudnick and Oz even take few satirical jabs at Hollywood. But all that disappears in the second half when protagonist, in a plot twist that could have surprised few people, discovers that he is actually homosexual. What supposed to be entertaining comedy about stereotypes turns into uninspired and boring sermon about tolerance. The audience starts to notice artificiality of the basic idea - Rudnick never explains why Cameron bothered to out his old drama teacher. The weak and melodramatic ending is just one of many disappointments this film provides. On the other hand, Kevin Kline doesn't disappoint - he shows great deal of comic ability and provides most of the laughs in In & Out. Tom Selleck is also having great fun in playing character so different from his macho image. Joan Cusack, on the other hand, goes over the top, while Debbie Reynolds and Wilford Brimley fail to make Howard's parents into anything more than cartoonish stereotypes. By sticking to cliches and stereotypes it was supposed to mock, In & Out betrays itself.
RATING: 3/10 (+)
(Note: The text in its original form was posted in Usenet newsgroup rec.arts.films.reviews on September 29th 2004)
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