In & Out

The movie is hysterical, it really is a funny film, and one that tries its best to stand up for Gay Rights back in the late 90s when Don't Ask Don't Tell was the height of Gay Rights.

Unfortunately people are reviewing this with an eye to the present and claiming that it stereotypes Gay men, and it does to an extent, but I do believe that a lot of the single star reviews would have made the same complaint no matter what they did with the lead character.

The fact is, for its time, for its era, it was part of the wave of films and TV shows that helped to normalize homosexuality in America, and it's that normalization that, more than any activism, helped for the Civil Rights victories we are seeing in the present.

To shun it over politics is literally to bite the hand that feeds you, especially since it has a clear message that homophobia is wrong and it was movies and TV shows like this that helped bring the attitudes and views on homosexuality that everyone supports today.

But, honestly, none of that matters. What matters is entertainment, that is why movies are made. Even informative movies have to have an eye towards entertaining the viewers if they want to actually be watched.

And, this movie is entertaining. This movie is hysterical, even if the masculinity tape was a bit of a stretch of the imagination even for a comedy, it still was a stretch that won one or two laughs from the audience.

Ultimately, it is a funny film that will entertain. So try to leave your political baggage at the door, and, if you can't, realize that it was films like this that helped normalize the views the American public has towards your political agenda...and then sit back and enjoy a funny and uplifting film with a strong moral.

...in every way. It's a 1997 Fairy Tale. If you think this set LGBTQ rights back 20 years, we'll IT's 26 years OLD!!!!

Get a grip; this is a charming, sweet fairy tale about self discovery, and these days, a bit of a time capsule- So watch it, enjoy the good, funny and occasionally biting script, the wonderful performances and terrific direction.

It is what it is- engaging and enjoyable,

I'm kind of shocked that people in 2023 watch films and TV from the 1960's, 70's, 80's and 90's and judge them for not being woke enough: this is this very media that woke us up! We would not be as aware, inclusive or ( at least most of us) understanding if it were not for the ideas in older media.

Get a grip.

RESPECT!

Enjoy!

I have always thought Kevin Kline is a great actor. We all have seen him in great and memorable performances. In this film, again, he is good. My family and I really had a great time watching him as a professor who sees on television one of his former students saying he (the professor) is gay. It's fun from the beginning to the end. I recommend this innocent comedy. Have fun

my rate 7/10

Frank Oz directed 'In & Out' is indeed a Funny film. It gets it's humor right, and there are a couple of sequences that manage to make you laugh. Also, the performances in here, are top-notch!

'In & Out' tells the story of a teacher, played superbly by Kevin Kline, who, begins to question his sexuality after a former student makes a comment about him at the Academy Awards.

Paul Rudnick's Screenplay is funnily, inspired by Tom Hanks's speech when he accepted his 1994 Oscar for 'Philadelphia', in which he mentioned his high-school drama coach, and his former classmate, to be, two of the finest gay Americans, he knew. The Writing in the first hour, especially, is hilarious. The climax is absurd, but is mentionable nonetheless. Frank Oz has directed this comedy with ease. Cinematography is perfect.

Now to the performances! Kevin Kline is superb, as always. It's indeed time people start calling Kline as a Hollywood Icon! Joan Cusack is fantastic! Matt Dillon as the over-the-top Oscar-winning actor, is extremely amusing. Tom Selleck is lively. Debbie Reynolds is absolutely lovable. Others are perfect.

On the whole, A Well-Done Comedy, that truly deserves a watch. Thumbs Up!

Some movies want to make us think, some want to excite us, some want to exhilarate us. But sometimes, a movie wants only to make us laugh, and "In & Out" certainly succeeds in this department.

Indiana high-school teacher Howard Brackett (Kevin Kline) is going to be married to fellow teacher Emily Montgomery (Joan Cusack) in three days, but the whole town is more excited about the Oscar nomination of former resident Cameron Drake (Matt Dillon). But when Cameron wins an Oscar for playing a gay soldier, he thanks his gay teacher, Howard, for inspiration. What follows is Howard denying it in an hilarious set of mishaps in a truly screwball fashion.

Kevin Kline is great, exuding gay stereotypes. Joan Cusack really has a knack for screwball antics. Debbie Reynolds is utterly hilarious as Howard's mother. And Bob Newhart is also a hoot as the homophobic principal.

Gay screenwriter Paul Rudnick really achieves a delicate balance here. He knows the stereotypes and exploits them in a way that's mostly tolerable to conservative Midwesterners and yet mostly inoffensive to the gay audience. It's not exactly progressive, but it's funny and inoffensive, and definitely a step up from the previous year's "The Birdcage."