In & Out

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Buy This Item In & Out by Paramount  Available from Amazon  $9.99  on 11-16-2008     When a Hollywood heartthrob (Matt Dillon, playing a Brad Pitt look-alike) "outs" his small-town high-school drama teacher Howard Brackett (Kevin Kline) during the Oscar telecast, the entire (fictional) town of Greenleaf, Indiana, wonders if Howard's really gay. More to the point, Howard wonders, too--quite a dilemma considering his pending marriage to Emily (Joan Cusack), who's patiently tolerated a three-year engagement. While a TV reporter (Tom Selleck) covers the ensuing furor, screenwriter Paul Rudnick and director Frank Oz make good-natured humor their highest priority, turning the "crisis" of coming out into a laugh-out-loud spin on conventional romantic comedy. The result is a film that delivers constant laughs and a golden opportunity for its fine cast to show off their considerable comedic talents--especially Cusack, who deservedly earned an Oscar nomination for her hilarious performance as the bride who's almost as confused as her would-be husband. That Rudnick and Oz have made a great comedy that's both old-fashioned and relevant to the late 20th century is no small feat, but <i>In & Out</i> has no hidden agenda apart from its triumphant desire to entertain. <i>--Jeff Shannon</i> Reader Reviews First let me say that i really wanted to like this movie a lot. NOT because it's a gay movie, but because i really like Kevin Kline. The detractors say it's a propaganda film. How is showing a movie where a gay person is a GOOD person propaganda? Is the Cosby Show black propaganda, because they show a happy, rich black family? Seriously. Don't you right-wing nuts have an abortion doctor to kill or something? Ok, now on the the movie itself. Kevin Kline did a fairly good job in the movie, as did Newhart and Debbie Reynolds. But to me, the actor who stole the show was Joan Cusack. She was very funny in this role, and that made it watchable. Also, the small town setting & locations were warm and inviting. But the movie certainly had some problems. With the exception of the supporting cast, the comedy (particularly what they gave Kevin Kline to work with) was pretty weak. It was predictable, easy, old, hacky, and really just played upon the most BASIC stereotypes of gay people. I was offended. But not because of the stereotypes. I was offended comedically because of the lack of clever writing. Yes, yes, we all know many gay people like Streisand, dancing, snappy dressing, and the arts. It's tired. This might have been funny to me 20 or 30 years ago. But now? Uggghhh.... Somehow, they gave Cusack all the best comedy. She played the perfect comedic foil for Kline, as she was so fragile, so lacking in self-esteem, and constantly on the verge of a nervous breakdown. "Is everyone gay?!" I enjoyed the overall story that was being told. I really just wish the comedic writing was better.

In & Out Available from Amazon Price: $9.99 Updated on 11-16-2008.

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