In & Out
A small-town teacher’s sudden public outing turns his engagement, identity, and community into the targets of a lively battle over tolerance and self-knowledge.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Brisk
- Intensity
- Moderate
- Complexity
- Easy to follow
- Violence
- None
- witty
- warm
- sincere
- date night
- comfort watch
What critics said
Critics generally found the film funny and warmly performed, especially by Kevin Kline and Joan Cusack, while noting an uneasy balance between broad stereotypes and social commentary.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Howard's outing triggers intense speculation and media attention throughout Greenleaf, Indiana.
Cameron Drake's televised Oscar speech exposes Howard and brings Hollywood reporters into his life.
Howard's behavior is judged through supposed gay stereotypes while the film argues that such traits cannot determine identity.
The film places homosexuality, homophobia, and acceptance at the center of a commercially oriented romantic comedy.
Films like In & Out, and why
The Birdcage
small-town social comedy confronting sexual identity and community prejudice through an accessible mainstream ensemble
Jeffrey
romantic comedy using broad humor to challenge conventional ideas about sexuality and relationships
Kinky Boots
warm, witty comedy about identity, public scrutiny, and accepting oneself outside social expectations
Movie Details
- Director
- Frank Oz
- Release Date
- 1997-09-10
- Runtime
- 90 min
- Rating
- 6.5 / 10 (779)
Cast
- Kevin Kline
- Joan Cusack
- Tom Selleck
- Matt Dillon
- Debbie Reynolds
- Wilford Brimley
- Bob Newhart
- Gregory Jbara
- Shalom Harlow
- Shawn Hatosy
Where to watch in United States
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is In & Out about?
- A small-town teacher’s sudden public outing turns his engagement, identity, and community into the targets of a lively battle over tolerance and self-knowledge.
- What is In & Out like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of In & Out as brisk, its intensity as moderate and its storytelling as easy to follow.
- Is In & Out violent?
- No — Ember's analysis finds no violence in In & Out.
- What did critics think of In & Out?
- Critics generally found the film funny and warmly performed, especially by Kevin Kline and Joan Cusack, while noting an uneasy balance between broad stereotypes and social commentary.
- Which films are like In & Out?
- Films with a similar feel include The Birdcage, Jeffrey, and Kinky Boots.
- How long is In & Out?
- In & Out runs 90 minutes.
- Where can I watch In & Out?
- In United States, In & Out is available to rent or buy from Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home.
