Not exactly a forgotten classic but that's okay, I don't, necessarily specialize in 'classics'. IN AND OUT is simply a wonderfully funny 1997 film with, I suppose, a socially political bent, directed by Frank Oz and written by Paul Rudnick and starring Kevin Kline, Tom Selleck, Joan Cusack, Matt Dillon, Bob Newhart and Debby Reynolds.
I can't even imagine this movie without Kevin Kline whose deadpan expression is equal to none. Kevin Kline who always seems to be the most intelligent man in the room even when he's playing hapless and clueless. Kevin Kline who manages to make his leading men interesting even when they're not. Kevin Kline who always manages to make 'wistful' look intriguing. That Kevin Kline.
Obviously, I like the man. (Even if he couldn't save the God-awful DE-LOVELY.)
And please someone tell me why Joan Cusack is not a MAJOR star?!! She is simply sensational. (She was nominated for Best Supporting Actor in this role but lost out to Kim Basinger (?!)
Okay, here's what IN AND OUT is all about:
We meet Howard Brackett (Kevin Kline), a high school teacher on the eve of his marriage to his long suffering fiancee and fellow teacher Emily Montgomery (the extraordinary Joan Cusack). Emily has self-esteem issues and has recently lost 75 pounds to fit into her wedding dress.
Howard is just a nice guy living what is an apparently idyllic existence in the small town of Greenleaf, Indiana. He is well-liked by one and all and is the most popular teacher in school until one Oscar night when in a very clumsy way he is 'outed' on national television (with the whole town watching) by actor Cameron Drake (Matt Dillon). In his effusive thanks to his former teacher, as he accepts his Best Actor award, Drake reveals what he assumes must be common knowledge back home in Greenleaf.
All hell breaks loose. It's not only that no one in town, in school, among his friends and pupils know that Howard is gay, it's that Howard didn't know. Even if he does wear a snappy bow tie, all along he has simply assumed that everyone has natural rhythm, loves Barbara Streisand, listens to scores from Broadway shows, and enjoys poetry and dancing. These are all supposed clues to his probable homosexuality, meant to simplify the concept for one and all but done in a very humorous and even innocent way and thanks to Kevin Kline's amusing bewilderment, there doesn't seem to be anything which could be termed objectionable by anyone gay or straight. (At least I don't think so.) He really is clueless so obvious clues must be dropped in his (and our) path.
The national press descends on Greenleaf on the day of Howard's wedding, sensing a Big Story. There's must be a Big Story if it involves a Big Movie Star and Cameron Drake is known to be on his way back home with his requisite, achingly thin model girlfriend (Shalom Harlow) by his side. (He keeps telling her to eat something.) Drake realizes he's fumbled, made life difficult for a man who he was really only trying to honor and he's determined to set things right.
In the meantime, a confused Walter is assessing his entire life and in one hilarious scene resorts to a self-help book and tape guaranteed to make him more manly by teaching him to ignore his 'natural rhythm'. Manly men don't dance. Kevin Kline is brilliant. (As is the voice on the tape.)
Tom Selleck (in one of his best and most comfortable roles) shows up as television newsman Peter Malloy who we learn has his own not-so-secret secret. Tom Selleck is an acquired taste that I never really acquired. Yes, he's incredibly good looking, but hey, so are many other Hollywood actors. Yes, he's talented - to a point. But for me, he just never had that 'Major Hollywood Actor' thing written all over him. I'm also not crazy about his holier-than-thou politics.
But it was interesting to see him play a secondary role (the Second Lead!) which includes sharing a highly improbable but super sexy kiss with the leading man. Selleck is simply wonderful - to my surprise. Not to mention that there is some real chemistry between both men.
I also love the very funny scene when a declaration at a local bar sends a crazed Emily Montgomery, left at the altar and still in her wedding dress, running out into the night looking for justice. I also love the sweet way in which this scene is resolved when Cameron Drake admits his high school crush on Emily (once upon a time, his teacher) never went away. He never even minded her weight issues. (Yeah, right. But let's make-believe.) And the last we see of them, both are sitting on the hood of a car eating ice cream. (At least that's how I remember it.) So Emily gets her own happy ending which, considering all she's been put through, is more than justified.
My only quibble with the entire movie is the 'preachy' ending in the high school auditorium which should have worked much better, but somehow doesn't. Maybe it's that it isn't handled especially well. Maybe it should have been subtler? At any rate, it doesn't spoil the film at all, just makes you wish it had been fine-tuned a bit.
The rest of the cast includes Bob Newhart (in a thankless role) as the high school principal and Debby Reynolds and Wilford Brimley as Howard's parents whose disbelief in the face of the incomprehensible is fun to watch. These two old pros know how to make the most of small scenes.
All in all, a terrific movie tackling a difficult subject with charm and even a bit of artlessness. It is meant to please and amuse and it does.
Since today is Tuesday, don't forget to check in at Todd Mason's blog, Sweet Freedom, at some point, to see what other Forgotten or Overlooked Films, Television or Audio-Visuals, other bloggers are talking about today.
Hello Yvette,
ReplyDeleteYou are a positive mine of information on these films long since relegated to the cutting room and yet well worthy of revisiting. We are permanently checking with your suggestions when stuck for something to watch.
We have never heard of this film so definitely have not watched it. We have it on our list as our next viewing possibility. It sounds as if it has good mileage and we do like Kevin Kline.
Dear Jane and Lance, Kevin Kline is wonderful in this film. I hope you get a chance to see it at some point. It's one of my favorites.
DeleteA charming movie. I don't think Kevin Kline had the career he should have had. SOPHIE'S CHOICE was so monumental.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you, Patti. He should have been a super star.
DeleteI haven't seen this one for a while but I remember liking it quite a bit at the time as a nice variant on your standard romcom - glad to hear t still holds up as it's the sport of of movie than one imagines might feel a bit dated. And you are so right about Joan Cusack - maybe TV will reveal her greatness?
ReplyDeleteMaybe. She is SO wonderful. There's nothing she can't do. Time to see IN AND OUT again, then. :)
DeleteCan you guess that this is one of my favorite comedies? It's a helluva lot of fun! I remember Joan Cusack's crazy rant in this movie more than any other part and was upset she didn't get the Oscar. If Marisa Tomei can win an award for making a speech about car engines (My Cousin Vinny), and Whoopi Goldberg got an Oscar for her annyoing over-the-top turn as a fake psychic, then Joan could've won the statue for that insane breakdown in a wedding gown. She still turns up in bit parts on TV every now and then, but I miss her in parts like this in the movies.
ReplyDeleteShe is so incredibly talented. Maybe too talented. You know how that goes. This is one of my favorite movies too, John. I hoped it was one of yours. :) I figured it might be, but I wasn't sure.
DeleteYes. I am also a big fan of this movie, and this post reminds me to see it again.
ReplyDeleteKevin Kline is very talented, and able to do comedy well and drama. I remember him in Silverado, one of the only Westerns I like. He was brilliant in A Fish Called Wanda, and excellent in Cry Freedom about South African apartheid, playing journalist Donald Woods. And on and on.
And Joan Cusack was fantastic in this, as in whatever she is in. She is a naturally born comedian, like Lucille Ball or Carol Burnett, who can do physical comedy. Just her facial expressions can start laughter on the part of viewers.
So, I must look up more of her movies.
And, as for Tom Selleck, he is good-looking, but his politics get in the way for me, too.
I loved SILVERADO, Kathy. He is just so fabulous in that. I'm with you on Tom Selleck. But admittedly, he does turn in a good performance now and then and I do try to focus solely on that.
DeleteYvette, thanks for a delightful review of this film, which I'll definitely see because it's funny and because of all the fine actors, especially Kevin Kline and Tom Selleck whose films I try not to miss and, of course, Bob Newhart who I recently saw in "The Big Bang Theory" and Debbie Reynolds who must be pretty old in the film. I couldn't quite place Joan Cusack until I checked out some of her other films. I'm going to go hunting for the DVD of "In & Out."
ReplyDeleteI hope your 'hunting' turns up a copy, Prashant. I think you will enjoy the film, most especially since you already like all the actors. Debby plays Kevin Kline's mom. She's looking good for her age. :)
DeleteYeah, Kevin Klein is just the best. Because he disappears into his roles.
ReplyDeleteI first saw him in A Fish Called Wanda (though up against John Cleese, his character did NOT come off as the smartest man in the room, for once) then in Cry Freedom, and I totally, absolutely could not believe it was the same guy.
We agree, Susanna. He is wonderful. Yes. But I must admit that I love him best in comedy.
DeleteI haven't seen this for a long time, and will add it to my queue. I remember really liking it. Thanks for the reminder.
ReplyDeleteYou're welcome, Nan. I know, it's just so hard to remember everything. I'm always being prompted by posts to go see this or read this. It's a way of life now. :)
DeleteI'm back to say that I just finished watching it, and loved it even more than the first time. I would say that for 17 years ago, it was pretty progressive. Now the Kline and Selleck characters would probably have the wedding instead of the parents. I'm with you about Joan C. She is wonderful. I think my fave role is in Arlington Road. That smile! And I have to admit that I am quite a fan of Tom Selleck. :<)
ReplyDeleteSometimes, Nan, when you see a film again after a long time, it doesn't live up to your expectations. But this one does - doesn't it? I'm glad you enjoyed it again. Never heard of Arlington Road. I'll check it out.
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