In & Out is a 1997 romantic comedy film directed by Frank Oz and starring Kevin Kline, Joan Cusack, Matt Dillon, Tom Selleck, Debbie Reynolds, Bob Newhart, and Wilford Brimley. The screenplay was written by screenwriter Paul Rudnick. Joan Cusack was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for her performance.
The film was inspired by Tom Hanks's tearful speech when he accepted his 1994 Oscar (for his role in Philadelphia), in which he mentioned his high-school drama coach Rawley Farnsworth, and his former classmate John Gilkerson, "two of the finest gay Americans, two wonderful men that I had the good fortune to be associated with" - unaware that Farnsworth was still closeted.[1] The film became one of mainstream Hollywood's few attempts at a comedic "gay movie" of its era, and was widely noted at the time for a 10-second kiss between Kevin Kline and Tom Selleck.
Synopsis
Howard Brackett (Kevin Kline) is a well-liked English literature teacher, living a quiet life in Greenleaf, Indiana, with his fiancée and fellow teacher Emily Montgomery (Joan Cusack). The town is filled with anticipation over the nomination of Cameron Drake (Matt Dillon), Brackett's former student, in the Best Actor category at the Academy Awards for his portrayal of a gay soldier in "To Serve and Protect". Cameron does indeed win the Best Actor award, and in his acceptance speech, thanks Howard, adding, "…and he's gay!"
Howard's family (Debbie Reynolds, Wilford Brimley, Gregory Jbara, Kate McGregor-Stewart, Alice Drummond, Selma Blair), friends (Debra Monk, Ernie Sabella, Joseph Maher, William Duell), students (Shawn Hatosy, Zak Orth, Lauren Ambrose, Alexandra Holden), co-workers (Lewis J. Stadlen, Deborah Rush, Kevin Chamberlin), and fiancée are naturally shocked, but that is nothing compared to Howard's own reaction of disbelief and indignation, and he angrily tries to reassure those who know him that he is a heterosexual. Reporters invade his hometown, harassing him for interviews following the awards night telecast, and Howard is placed under the scrutiny of his boss, Principal Halliwell (Bob Newhart), who is uncomfortable with the attention being brought to the school.
Although the other reporters leave after getting their story, one stays behind: Peter Malloy (Tom Selleck), who wants to wait the week out so he can cover Howard's wedding to Emily. Howard continues to be harassed and dismayed by the changed attitudes of everyone around him, and decides that he must sleep with Emily in order to prove his heterosexuality. Howard tries, but cannot go through with it due to his conflicting emotions and Emily's concern for his well-being. Howard crosses paths with Peter, who tries to provide a helpful ear and narrates his own experience in coming out to his family. Howard still insists that he is not gay, prompting Peter to kiss him. Although shocked, Howard reacts somewhat positively to the kiss, vindicating Peter's instinct all along on the matter.
Howard's final measure to restore his heterosexuality is the use of a self-help audio cassette, although that fails as well. During the wedding ceremony, Emily recites her vow without hesitation, but when Howard is prompted by the minister, he instead says, "I'm gay." The wedding is off, and although Peter is proud of Howard, Howard is angry with himself for hurting Emily. Things take a turn for the worse when he is fired from the school because of his outing.
Despite being fired, Howard attends the graduation ceremony to support his students. When one student (Shawn Hatosy) who got into college with Howard's hard work, learns that he was dismissed for being gay, he and his classmates proclaim themselves, one by one, to be gay as well, to show their support of Howard and to thumb their noses at the school board. Howard's family follows suit, as do his friends, and all the townsfolk assembled. Having learned of the ensuing media blitz while in Los Angeles, Cameron Drake flies to his hometown, with his supermodel girlfriend (Shalom Harlow), to support his former teacher and although Howard doesn't win 'Teacher Of The Year', Cameron presents him with his Oscar.
The film ends with Howard's wedding-crazy mother finally getting a wedding - her own, when she and her husband decide to renew their vows. Howard, Peter and the rest of the townsfolk attend the reception, and among the crowd are Emily and Cameron Drake, who appear to have begun a relationship. The film ends with everyone dancing to the Village People's song "Macho Man".
Filming
The movie was filmed in five residential towns in Passaic and Morris counties in New Jersey; Northport, New York on Long Island, Warwick, New York, and Purchase, New York.
The high school used in the filming was Pompton Lakes High School.
Cast
- Kevin Kline as Howard Brackett, an English teacher
- Joan Cusack as Emily Montgomery, Howard's fiancee
- Tom Selleck as Peter Malloy, a TV journalist covering Howard's story
- Matt Dillon as Cameron Drake, an ex-student of Howard's and Oscar-winning actor
- Debbie Reynolds as Berniece Brackett, Howard's mother
- Wilford Brimley as Frank Brackett, Howard's father
- Bob Newhart as Tom Halliwell, Howard's school's principal
- Shawn Hatosy as Jack, one of Howard's students
- Zak Orth as Mike, one of Howard's students
- Alexandra Holden as Meredith, one of Howard's students
- Lauren Ambrose as Vicky, one of Howard's students
- Shalom Harlow as Sonya, Cameron's supermodel girlfriend
- Gregory Jbara as Walter Brackett, Howard's brother
- Lewis J. Stadlen as Edward Kenrow, one of Howard's colleagues
- Deborah Rush as Ava Blazer, one of Howard's colleagues
- Kevin Chamberlin as Carl Mickley, one of Howard's colleagues
- Kate McGregor-Stewart as Aunt Becky, one of Howard's relatives
- Debra Monk as Mrs. Lester, the town dressmaker
- Ernie Sabella as Aldo Hooper, Howard's hair stylist
- Joseph Maher as Father Tim, one of the town's priests from whom Howard seeks help.
- William Duell as Emmett Wilson, the town mailman
- Alice Drummond as Aunt Susan, one of Howard's relatives
- Selma Blair as Cousin Linda, one of Howard's relatives
Cameos
Whoopi Goldberg, Glenn Close, and Jay Leno appear as themselves. Dan Hedaya appears as the Military Attorney in "To Serve and Protect"
Soundtrack
A soundtrack was released on September 23, 1997, featuring previously recorded songs as well as Marc Shaiman's instrumental music composed for the film.
Track listing
- "I Will Survive" - Diana Ross
- "Wedding Preparations" (instrumental)
- "Everything's Coming up Roses" - Ethel Merman
- "'To Serve And Protect'" (instrumental)
- "Howard Is Outed" (instrumental)
- "The Morning After" (instrumental)
- "The Bachelor Party" (instrumental)
- "Interviews With Townsfolk" (instrumental)
- "Homosection" (instrumental)
- "I Don't" (instrumental)
- "Mom & Dad" (instrumental)
- "Cameron" & Emily (instrumental)
- "Crazy" - Patsy Cline
- "Teacher Of The Year/People/The Wedding" (instrumental)
- "Macho Man" - Village People
Response
The film did reasonably well at the box office, grossing $15,019,821 on its opening weekend and $63,856,929 over its entire theatrical run.[2]
DVD release
In & Out was released on Region 1 DVD the year following the film's release, on October 21, 1998.[3] The release does not include any extras besides the theatrical trailer. The Region 2 DVD was released on April 9, 2001.[4]
References
External links
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