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In & Out

Rating

Director

Frank Oz

Screenplay

Paul Rudnick

Length

1h 30m

Starring

Kevin Kline, Joan Cusack, Tom Selleck, Matt Dillon, Debbie Reynolds, Wilford Brimley, Bob Newhart

MPAA Rating

PG-13

Basic Plot

A student-turned film star outs his high school English teacher as he accepts his Oscar in front of the entire world. Is he or isn’t he? He doesn’t even know.

Review

Paul Rudnick is becoming one of the premiere gay screenwriters in Hollywood, his last film, Jeffrey, was a well-written look into gay society that took existing stereotypes and put different spins on them as well as new light into gay culture. With In & Out, his main-stream appeal could easily grow. Kevin Kline plays to perfection a small town English teacher who is unwittingly outed on national television by a former student. However, this information is new to him and the entire town. He vehemently denies this fact to everyone and is even pursued by media, hungry for the story. Among these media folks is a surprisingly entertaining Tom Selleck. With his reputation as a butch private eye, Magnum P.I., Selleck is the perfect man to play the gay television reporter in search of the hot story and a boost in his own sagging ratings, not to mention he appears to have a little thing for Kline.

Joan Cusack plays his fiance and plays her so well that we’re assured that she can win an Oscar nomination. Also in for the ride is the always delightful Debbie Reynolds who plays another wise-cracking, crazy mother who has a penchant for a big wedding. Matt Dillon plays the young, handsome actor who outs him on the Oscars and later tries to involve himself in the situation to help where he has caused problems.

The comedy is at its peak in this delicious, stylistic film. Not 5 minutes goes by without some witty barb, whisking away the gloom. In a wonderfully cheeky sendoff on the Oscars, we see the fabulous Whoopi Goldberg upstaged by the young ingenue played by a blond Matt Dillon. Keep an eye out for Coot, Codger and the hilarious Snowball in Hell during the ceremony. This is not just one of the funniest parts in the film, it’s part of a slew, including two others that I still find myself laughing over. Paul Rudnick should continue writing mainstream Gay comedies and perhaps one day they won’t have to be about someone’s persecution, rather as a regular part of human life.

In & Out is by far the best comedy of the year. When a year is filled with the anyone-can-find-it-funny Romy & Michele’s High School Reunion and Austin Powers, a stand-out comedy is necessary. In & Out confidently strides up to the microphone to say its thanks yous.

Awards Prospects

Joan Cusack is guaranteed an Oscar nomination and Kevin Kline could easily find himself with one. Other than that, only Paul Rudnick’s Screenplay really has a chance, but that’s a long shot.

Review Written

Unknown