Joshua Belyeu I saw this film many times in my youth, and at one point actually liked it...until I realized how truly saturated it is with disreputable ideas and tactics.The story revolves around Howard Brackett, a happily-engaged schoolteacher living in the small town of Greenleaf, Indiana. His parents support him, his friends like him, and so do some of his students.But that all changes when former student Cameron Drake, who's since become a famous movie star, dedicates his win at an Oscar ceremony to Howard...labeling him gay in the process. This turns Howard's world upside down, as the local gossips assume Drake's claim must be true. Howard doesn't know what to do, and his attempts to handle the situation fail miserably. This is probably one of the most prominent areas of the film, where the propaganda's on full display...prior to the climax (more on that later).Howard's whole method of presenting himself is mocked by various people; some criticize his choice of clothing, while others condemn his affection for the films of Barbra Streisand. Another method of "research" involves him trying to resist dancing to the song "I Will Survive", an audio recording previously insisting "truly manly men do not dance, for any reason." When Howard gives in, the recording asks, "How did you do...pussy boy?" An openly-gay reporter (played by Tom Selleck, of all people) kisses Howard at a street intersection, supposedly attempting to force some kind of "truth" on the teacher. Howard's so freaked out by this, his only objection is it happened at the intersection. Desperate for answers and less chaos, he goes to a priest...who recommends he have sex with his fiancée before the wedding. No, I'm not making it up - that's in the film. He attempts to do so, only to be reassured by his bride-to-be...then breaks her heart at the ceremony by submitting to the pressure and declaring himself gay.It all culminates when Howard is nominated for Teacher of the Year at his school, but the administration bars him due to fear of a potential scandal. Suddenly, Cameron Drake arrives in the auditorium, asking the staff members if all the chaos is about "the gay thing". Their manner of refusal is clearly depicted with intentional mockery, of anyone who would oppose homosexuality for any reason. To drive the film's whole point home (namely, that "gay is okay" and all who disagree are stupid and/or hateful), Howard's present-day students all declare themselves gay; one even says "If there's something wrong with Mr. Brackett, there's something wrong with me." Howard's own parents soon join in this mocking form of "support", along with the town's fire brigade. The final scene has Howard dancing to the Village People song "Macho Man", while his former fiancée cozes up to Drake.The only reason I gave this film more than one star, is because there's some very brief moments which actually made me laugh. The biggest one is probably a scene between Howard's fiancée and the reporter who kissed him. Its the night of the crashed wedding, and in desperation she propositions him. Informing her he's gay sends her crashing out the door of the bar they're in, to which she screams into the night, "IS EVERYBODY GAY?!" That question could very well have been the film's title; it certainly fits the overall premise.

bbewnylorac Joan Cusack is superb in this funny farce about a teacher called Howard, engaged to be married, who discovers he is gay. It uses humour to explore some serious issues about small town bigotry, self-delusion, and the consequences of self-denial. Tom Selleck plays his best ever role as a witty, sly television reporter who takes it as a personal quest to push Howard to come out. The worst thing about the movie is the soundtrack, which is over the top and overly intrusive. And the script occasionally gets too flowery and cheesy. And sometimes the acting is too exaggerated. Everything is tied up in a neat knot. And Howard really doesn't suffer too much -- there's too much schmaltz. But it's a worthwhile film, made at the start of the era of accepting gays.

Raul Faust You know, I heard about this movie a lot, since it's been repeatedly shown in Brazilian cable; after months of seeing its name, I decided to give it a chance and, oh boy, I made the right decision. "In & Out" is the funniest movie I've seen recently. It has one of the most intelligent stories I have ever seen! Every hilarious scene is filled with irony and self-directed criticism to the own American society, who tries to hide everything that doesn't fit well. The most clever and sarcastic scene is when Howard states he's gay in moment of her wedding, and once his mother hears that, she tries to fix it by saying "he meant he is having a wonderful day". From that moment on, I just kept constantly laughing, getting surprised every while. Other than that, not only directing and writing are great, but the cast is also extremely professional, delivering unexpected situations all the time. It's also interesting to notice how filmmakers show the way men are supposed to behave; we've always been induced to not dance, sing, speak mildly and stuff like that, otherwise we'd be compared to female or homosexual guys, which we should run from. You know, this movie was released in 1997, but current society is still very chauvinist and intolerant, in a point that I don't know if it changed significantly since the nineties. The controversy whether the main character is gay or not is irrelevant in this movie, given that the main pursuit is show how people behave in situations like that-- and I may state it's completely real. So that's it. "In & Out" is one of the most mature, clever and surprising comedies you'll ever get a chance to see. Congratulations for the team!

VADigger In 'In and Out', Kevin Kline plays a repressed gay teacher inadvertently outed by a former student on national television. (The Oscars, no less) He finally comes out with the truth - at the altar on his wedding day. Of course there is a happy ending with him accepting his sexuality, the townfolk accepting him, and, as a sort of bonus prize, his ending up with Tom Selleck, the most perfect man in the universe. Sounds just like real life, doesn't it? Of course a movie can't shatter stereotypes without depicting a few. Our hero is a neat freak and obsessed with Barbra Streisand. His pals even show 'Funny Lady' at his bachelor party. (Odd, most of the gay guys I know are a bit on the sloppy side and can't stand La Streisand.) At times this movie is so sweet your teeth ache, but it is saved by hilarious performances by Joan Cusack as the bride-not-to-be and Matt Dillon as the former student. And Tom Selleck is about as handsome and charming as a human being can be. Oh, and to really up the cute quotient, there is a quartet of little old ladies dacing to Macho Man with their walkers.