In & Out (1997)

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Kevin Kline headlines this comedy about a small-town Indiana drama teacher whose life is turned upside down when a student ‘outs’ him in his Academy Awards acceptance speech. At first the funny thing is that Kline’s character isn’t gay. In fact, he’s betrothed to Joan Cusack. But as the big wedding approaches, Kline meets a gay news reporter (Tom Selleck) and begins to realize… maybe he really is gay.

Given the turbulent political climate of the mid-90s, director Frank Oz (What About Bob?, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels) makes the smart choice of placing In & Out in a picturesque, Rockwellian setting complete with rose gardens, picket fences, and a flowery Marc Shaiman score. The screenplay by Paul Rudnick (Sister Act, Addams Family Values) isn’t afraid to poke fun at gay stereotypes — especially when Kline’s character listens to a series of self-help cassettes on how to ‘Act Like a Man’. A roster of familiar, comfortable supporting players, including Wilford Brimley and Debbie Reynolds, further serves to disarm 90s audiences of any homophobic baggage they might be carrying with them into the movie.

One could argue everything that makes In & Out inoffensive and non-threatening also holds it back from doing any real good for gay rights. A ‘coming out’ comedy made today (such as Love, Simon) doesn’t have to tip-toe around its subject matter as much as Oz and Rudnick had to. Make no mistake about it: In the mid-90s, it was no small achievement to bring a mainstream audience together for a movie about a gay character. So while In & Out barely scrapes the surface in terms of its treatment of homophobia or the often painful process of ‘coming out’, I give it kudos for using the healing power of laughter to at least bring viewers to the table about these subjects.

Joan Cusack, whose character has a madcap breakdown after narrowly marrying a gay man, was nominated for a best supporting actress Oscar. The cast also includes Matt Dillon and Bob Newhart.

Oscar Nomination: Best Supporting Actress (Cusack)