In & Out (1997)

73% of critics liked it
(49 reviews)
47% of users liked it
(37,677 ratings)

Life is sweet for high-school English teacher and sports coach Howard Brackett (Kevin Kline); he's still living where he grew up, he has a good relationship with his father (Wilford Brimley) and mother (Debbie Reynolds), he's respected by his community, and he's about to marry Emily (Joan Cusack),… More Life is sweet for high-school English teacher and sports coach Howard Brackett (Kevin Kline); he's still living where he grew up, he has a good relationship with his father (Wilford Brimley) and mother (Debbie Reynolds), he's respected by his community, and he's about to marry Emily (Joan Cusack), his fiancée of three years. Fearing she was about to become an old maid, Emily has shed 75 pounds for the upcoming nuptials. But first, the entire town of Greenleaf, IN, settles in to watch the Academy Award telecast, because young stud star Cameron Drake (Matt Dillon), who attended Greenleaf High, has been nominated for an Oscar. What's more, he wins, and in his acceptance speech, singles out Howard -- and announces his favorite teacher is gay. Everyone in town is thunderstruck, including Howard himself. The media descend on the town, particularly Peter Malloy (Tom Selleck), whose job is hanging by a thread. Even worse, Howard's principal Tom Halliwell (Bob Newhart) is shaken by the news, and is toying with firing Howard. The beleaguered teacher tries to convince everyone (and himself) that he's as straight and macho as the next guy; he even tries to follow the rules on a motivational tape, "Be a Man." But his fondness for Barbra Streisand, his theatrical mannerisms, and the fact that he and Emily have yet to make love make everyone's eyebrows stay permanently raised. Meanwhile, out in Hollywood, Cameron, who's really a decent guy, learns about the problems his impulsive comment has caused, and heads back to Greenleaf to see what he can do to help. Howard's mother is fiercely determined to see at least one of her two sons wed -- Walter (Gregory Jbara), the other, is a doofus -- and as the wedding date draws nearer and nearer, poor Howard's life flies even farther out of control. ~ Bill Warren, Rovi

Rating, Runtime: PG-13, 1 hr. 30 min.
Directed By: Frank Oz
Written By: Paul Rudnick
Genres: Comedy

In Theaters: Sep 19, 1997 Wide
On DVD: Oct 20, 1998
Studio: Paramount

Critic Reviews

Lisa Alspector, Chicago Reader
Fast-moving and very funny.
Desson Thomson, Washington Post
Actually, the funniest parts of the movie are excerpts from the film that Cameron is originally nominated for.
Todd McCarthy, Variety
Basically a one-joke farce that plays around with a once-delicate subject that by now is a mainstay even on TV.
Andrew Sarris, New York Observer
The Hollywood stuff at the beginning with Glenn Close as an Oscar presenter and Matt Dillon as a puffed-up star on the rise is as funny and as nasty as anything in Libby Gelman-Waxner's columns.
Edward Guthmann, San Francisco Chronicle
Never amounts to more than a thin sketch.
Susan Wloszczyna, USA Today
One coming-out party that aims to please nearly everyone.
Maitland McDonagh, TV Guide's Movie Guide
Forget the inevitable carping and give credit where credit is due.
, Film4
If only it was gay in the old sense of the word.
Jeffrey M. Anderson, Combustible Celluloid
The clever screenwriter Paul Rudnick cooks up a solid script that's both wildly funny and gently satirical.
Jeffrey M. Anderson, Common Sense Media
Lighthearted comedy gently satirizes "coming out."
Rob Nelson, Boston Phoenix
In & Out is the screwball Philadelphia, a movie that contorts itself in order to indulge and then whitewash the core audience's perceived homophobia.
Michael Dequina, TheMovieReport.com
A plain ol' enjoyable time at the movies.
Rob Gonsalves, eFilmCritic.com
Paul Rudnick has written scenes that will go down as classics.
, Time Out
Oz wants it both ways, though, and can't resist hammering home the message with a prolonged Spartacus-style climax quite as ludicrous as the Oscar winning film-within-the-film.
Robin Clifford, Reeling Reviews
We could use more movie comedies like In & Out.
Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews
A benign spoof on the bias people have against gays.
Robert Roten, Laramie Movie Scope
Overall, it isn't bad, but it is disappointing.
Margaret A. McGurk, Cincinnati Enquirer
Oh, what a swell movie we have with In & Out.
Kevin N. Laforest, Montreal Film Journal
The film was directed by Frank Oz, who's not the edgiest of filmmakers but still put together a fine little film, well made and entertaining.
Phil Villarreal, Arizona Daily Star
Kline delivers an intriguing, fence-straddling performance.

Read all 20 critic reviews

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Featured Audience Ratings

♥˩ƳИИ &

Cast: Kevin Kline, Joan Cusack, Tom Selleck, Matt Dillon, Debbie Reynolds, Wilford Brimley, Bob Newhart, Deborah Rush, Lewis J. Stadlen, Gregory Jbara, Shalom Harlow, Shawn Hatosy, Zak Orth, Lauren Ambrose, Alexandra Holden, Selma Blair, Glenn Close, Whoopi Goldberg, Jay Leno… More
Cast: Kevin Kline, Joan Cusack, Tom Selleck, Matt Dillon, Debbie Reynolds, Wilford Brimley, Bob Newhart, Deborah Rush, Lewis J. Stadlen, Gregory Jbara, Shalom Harlow, Shawn Hatosy, Zak Orth, Lauren Ambrose, Alexandra Holden, Selma Blair, Glenn Close, Whoopi Goldberg, Jay Leno Director: Frank Oz Summary: When dim-bulb actor Cameron Drake (Matt Dillon) wins an Oscar for playing a gay Marine, he outs his high school drama teacher, Howard Brackett (Kevin Kline), in his acceptance speech. It all comes as a surprise to Howard -- not to mention to his long-suffering fiancée, Emily (Joan Cusack). With his wedding just days away and national media descending on his town, Howard's under the gun to prove just how much of a man he is. My Thoughts: "Although the film is funny and even silly at times, it really shows how very small minded some are about Gay people. That being said, the film was fun. Kevin Kline was great as Howard. I personally enjoyed the scene where Howard is listening to a Masculine tape. Stereotypical, yes, but funny none the less."
Fernando Rafael Q

Stereotypical and sometimes plain absurd, IN & OUT does manage to cause a few laughs, mostly due to Kevin Kline and Joan Cusack's performances. Debbie Reynolds and Matt Dillon have their moments as well. For its climactic scene, the film demands a suspension of disbelief… More
Stereotypical and sometimes plain absurd, IN & OUT does manage to cause a few laughs, mostly due to Kevin Kline and Joan Cusack's performances. Debbie Reynolds and Matt Dillon have their moments as well. For its climactic scene, the film demands a suspension of disbelief and, if you do just that, you will certainly enjoy an inspiring (but utterly implausible) sequence.
Spencer S

Kevin Kline is one of my favorite actors, so I may sound biased when I say his performance was spot on, and it was. It was great, hilarious, and unexpected. Still, the plot had something to be desired, and mostly it was downright depressing at certain times. Still, good film.
Jason O

Sat through the whole thing but never really got into it. I didn't think it was fun or funny, except for funny queer. The ending is nothing but gay acceptance crap.
Anthony L

If people want to watch these kinds of films in the privacy of their own homes then fine, I just don't want this kind of rubbish on my TV and shoved in my face! ;o) Directed by Miss Piggy.
Cassandra M

Howard Brackett (Kevin Kline) is a teacher who is about to get married. Then, one of his former students wins an Oscar for a film in which he plays a gay soldier and thanks Howard in his acceptance speech, outing him as being gay too! This film follows the aftermath as reporters… More
Howard Brackett (Kevin Kline) is a teacher who is about to get married. Then, one of his former students wins an Oscar for a film in which he plays a gay soldier and thanks Howard in his acceptance speech, outing him as being gay too! This film follows the aftermath as reporters descend on Howard's village and he tries to convince everyone that he is straight. I love this movie! Kevin Kline is wonderful, it has some really hilarious moments and it always leaves me feeling great with an enormous grin on my face. Consequently, it's one film that I enjoy watching as often as possible. If you haven't seen it, you're missing out!
Bruce B

This movie comes from a list of movie that were shown at the 1997 Toronto International Film Festival. It starts off a little slow, but found myself caught up before it was all over. We are in small town America, and Kevin Kline plays Mr. Brackett who is a English teacher at a local… More
This movie comes from a list of movie that were shown at the 1997 Toronto International Film Festival. It starts off a little slow, but found myself caught up before it was all over. We are in small town America, and Kevin Kline plays Mr. Brackett who is a English teacher at a local high school, Matt Dillion plays a movie start getting a award for his role in a movie about a gay solider, in his acceptance speech he thanks Mr. Brackett and also notes that he (Mr. Brackett) is gay. Trouble is Mr. Brackett is getting Married in 3 days and trouble is Mr. Brackett realizes he is gay. which makes for a very comical movie. Having lived in small town America (TAYLOR CO. Georgia) what happens and the reaction of the local band of residents is a true to fact happening. If I wanted to know anything about myself I would just ask the town's post mistress. The film is loaded with stars the ever beautiful Debbie Reynolds (Mind and Sprit). Bob Newhart, Tom Selleck, Wilford Brimley, Matt Dillon, and Lauren Ambrose (who can knock on my door anytime. Have to give it four stars. Don't hate, just enjoy.
Morgan G

A touching and funny film, dealing with ostracising nature of small-town America against gays and anyone else thought of as ?different? and not in the community's interests. Kline is hilarious and demonstrated to be a brilliant dancer/mover ? the scene with the self-help tape is… More
A touching and funny film, dealing with ostracising nature of small-town America against gays and anyone else thought of as ?different? and not in the community's interests. Kline is hilarious and demonstrated to be a brilliant dancer/mover ? the scene with the self-help tape is a classic cinematic moment.
Red L

Comedy about a teacher (Kevin Kline) who is "outed" by a former student. The problem is, he doesn't even know himself that he might be gay. One of the funniest scenes in the movie is when he is listening to a cassette tape which will help him become more masculine.… More
Comedy about a teacher (Kevin Kline) who is "outed" by a former student. The problem is, he doesn't even know himself that he might be gay. One of the funniest scenes in the movie is when he is listening to a cassette tape which will help him become more masculine. The tape tells him that men don't dance and of course Kevin can't stop from dancing that beat.
Jason S

Not a bad movie but not one I was into all that much.
Candy R

Comedy about a teacher who is outted by his ex-pupil. Good cast. Funny scene where the girlfriend can't use the old fashioned phone.
Megan S

I tried to watch this movie but I just couldn't get into it.
Michael G

I remember liking it, but I haven't seen it in a while.
Christopher O

The idea for this film is loosely based on Tom Hanks's Oscar speech for Philadelphia where he thanked his gay High school Drama teacher. Paul Rudnick and Frank Oz delightfully use this idea to great comic effect by putting it into the more than able hands of Kevin Kline who plays… More
The idea for this film is loosely based on Tom Hanks's Oscar speech for Philadelphia where he thanked his gay High school Drama teacher. Paul Rudnick and Frank Oz delightfully use this idea to great comic effect by putting it into the more than able hands of Kevin Kline who plays a small town teacher outed by a former student turned Oscar winner but even Kline's character Howard isn't sure if he is gay or not. Joan Cusack is fantastic as his long suffering fiance and earned a Oscar nomination for her work. Tom Selleck is also very good as a reporter who arrives to report on the story. THe film is played for laughs and is not a vehicle for preaching advocay of gay rights, it is to entertain us and in that vein it does.
Alec B

Its definately satire lite, but there are a few very funny moments and Kevin Kline is perfect. Plus Bob Newhart always manages to put me into hysterics no matter how big or small his part is.
William G

Kline is better than safe romp about his sexuality. Props to Selleck.
Marion R

If you like stereotypes then this is for you.
nefnie l

Kevin Kline had me rolling with laughter. Great movie to see when you feel like laughing yourself silly.
Sunil J

SO funny. Kevin Kline, Joan Cusack, and Debbie Reynolds do an amazing job.
Dimitris S

So it's a clinical account of the times of an afraid-to-come-out-of-the-closet "educated man".Nevertheless,the humor is not dry at all,Kevin Kline is pumping up the volume,thus Frank Oz marks one of his greatest moments,guiding an impressive supporting cast from Joan… More
So it's a clinical account of the times of an afraid-to-come-out-of-the-closet "educated man".Nevertheless,the humor is not dry at all,Kevin Kline is pumping up the volume,thus Frank Oz marks one of his greatest moments,guiding an impressive supporting cast from Joan Cusack to Matt Dillon!