1997, 1 hr 30 min., Rated PG-13 for sexual content and some strong language. Dir: Frank Oz. Cast: Kevin Kline (Howard Brackett), Joan Cusak (Emily), Matt Dillon (Cameron Drake), Wilford Bremley (Frank Brackett), Debbie Reynolds (Bernice Brackett), Tom Selleck (Peter Malloy), Bob Newhart (Principal Holloway).

Okay, so it took me a year to see this movie, and I only watched it because I was in Memphis on vacation and had nothing to watch at 3 a.m. and Nana left this on the VCR in the living room. I avoided it like the plague because it dealt with homosexuality, and I thought it was one of those Hollywood films that slammed those of us who believe in the Bible and what it says about the issue.

But I was wrong. In and Out was pretty funny because it made me laugh at all the stereotypes out there. And I like stereotypes. I'm comfortable with that. I joke that I like my homosexuals flaming. The movie doesn't just make us laugh at ourselves over that, but also at what makes a man masculine, and pokes fun at Hollywood and the press.

The setting is typical small-town America: Greenleaf, Indiana. Kevin Kline is Howard Brackett, the high school English teacher. There are two big events this week--the Academy Awards with Greenleaf's own Cameron Drake (Dillon) up for Best Actor, and the wedding of Howard and Emily (Cusak).

However, when Cameron wins the award, he thanks Howard, his former teacher and inspiration, because he's gay. (Cameron won for his role in "To Serve and Protect" as a military hero who's discovered to be gay after his superiors find three items: a personal letter from another soldier, a picture of his friend Danny signed..'Danny. San Francisco' and an autographed copy of Beaches).

Obviously, the town of Greenleaf is in shock, because Howard's not gay! His mantra for the next week becomes "I'm not gay! I'm getting married on Saturday!"

The press immediately sprints into town for the scoop. The questions they ask are perfect, including "Do you know Ellen?..Should gays be allowed to handle fresh produce?..Lesbians on Mars?" Tom Selleck is Peter Malloy, a reporter whose ratings are in steep decline, and decides to make this his comeback story. "Sex, a small town and a movie star. Howard Brackett, in and out." He interviews the whole town, including students, the barber and even the postman. Later, we discover that Malloy is gay, which ends up in an uncomfortable if amusing kiss.

The students don't know what to think now. One of the boys explains the act of gayness, "Gay guys put stuff in the out holes." And, they let Howard know how he could be perceived to be "prissy." He's clean, well-dressed, an English teacher, Drama Club sponsor, rides a bike to school, wears a bow-tie, hand motions tend to be flaky, loves to dance, loves Barbara Streisand and he's been engaged for three years.

I like the tapes on "How to be Masculine." Make sure you wear flannel, untucked of course. Frequently adjust yourself. Don't dance! "John Wayne, Arnold Schwarzenegger, they don't dance!" Of course, Howard just can't help himself.

The bachelor party is another funny scene. All the guys, instead of watching porno, bring Streisand films, because Howard had a festival featuring her a year ago and they got hooked. He dismisses the idea to appear macho, but the acts over when a friend suggests that Babs was too old for Yentl.

At the wedding, Howard comes out. Instead of saying "I do" he blurts out "I'm gay." His mother tries to cover, telling the audience what he meant to say was "He's having a wonderful day." Emily has a tantrum, telling the audience "Do you know how many times I've had to watch Funny Lady!" Later when Emily is drunk she asks Malloy to sleep with her but he of course is gay. She runs outside screaming "Is everybody gay!? Is this a twilight zone!?"

Now, everyone in town is coming out. A group of Howard's mother Bernice's friends sit in a circle with these life-changing announcement: one says that isn't her original recipe for Rice Krispie treats. Another hated The Bridges of Madison County and another's husband has three testicles.

Howard's father, Frank has a father/son talk, asking about these turn of events. "Are you getting an operation?..Are you getting into show business?..That Barbara Streisand. Did she do something to you."

Cameron returns to town to fix what he hath wrought. He's really still a small town guy living in a crazy world of style over substance. He tells his arm-candy supermodel girlfriend "you look like a swizel stick. It's unhealthy." And tells Emily that he had a crush on her when she was overweight, and that "skinny girls can be so annoying."

Naturally, everything is resolved at the end during graduation when Cameron shows up and challenges why Howard was fired and the schoolboard is so afraid of him being gay, and if forced to eat crow when the town gives its full support.