Starring Kevin Kline, Joan Cusack, Tom Selleck, Debbie Reynolds and Bob Newhart Directed by Frank Oz Rated PG-13, with profanity, mild violence and discussion of sexual issues Running time 90 minutes Jack gives this film a rating of 8 out of 10

(Sept. 19, 1997) -- It's Oscar night in Hollywood, and the small town of Greenleaf is hoping for big news. One of their own, a hot young actor who was born and raised in the Indiana community has been nominated as best actor.

When the actor (Matt Dillon) wins, the town gets more than it bargained for: In his acceptance speech, he thanks Howard Brackett (Kevin Kline), the high school teacher who guided him to his career. And then the young winner clumsily adds, "And he's gay!"

Brackett's pride turns to shock, and the quaint middle-American village is thrown into turmoil. After all, the "outing" occurs just as Howard, who doesn't realize he's gay, is about to marry his longtime fiancee.

That's the clever premise of In & Out, a funny, user-friendly comedy from veteran director Frank Oz.

The actor's shocking pronouncement is loosely based on Tom Hanks' real-life acceptance speech for Philadelphia, but turns the spotlight on a fictional All-American town where just about everybody is in denial.

If Howard IS gay, the veteran English and drama teacher and sports coach has certainly not been able to admit it. Sure, he knows every conceivable Barbra Streisand lyric and movie moment, and yes, it's true, Howard likes poetry and Shakespeare and uses a napkin!

It's also true that Howard and Emily have been engaged for a full three years, and haven't consummated their relationship. Howard seems more eager to get married only to please Mom (Debbie Reynolds). She constantly reminds him she NEEDS a wedding in the family like a junkie needs heroin.

But with the Oscar acceptance, everything goes topsy-turvy. The media descend en masse on Greenleaf, led by unscrupulous TV tabloid reporter Peter Malloy (Tom Selleck). Howard is challenged at every turn -- by his fiancee, his family, his students and his school principal (Bob Newhart).

Director Frank Oz is as funny, warm and wise with his human cast as he has been in the past with such Muppet creations as Miss Piggy and Yoda. In & Out is frequently hilarious, an on-the-money satire of small town values clashing with contemporary issues of sexual orientation. In that sense, In & Out is very much in the tradition of such masterful cinema social satirists as Preston Sturges.

The screenplay by Paul Rudnick ties Howard and the other characters in incredible entanglements -- and flirts with a lot of overworked gay stereotypes. But the narrative ultimately is resolved as cleverly, appealingly and properly as any viewer could want.

Oz also generates first-rate performances from his ensemble. Joan Cusack, Matt Dillon, Debbie Reynolds and Bob Newhart all successfully generate big moments.

And Tom Selleck is fabulous in what may be the film's biggest moment (which we won't ruin with an explanation). In his performance, Selleck also seems to relish skewering all those tabloid journalists who have made his own life hell for several years.

But the heart and humor of In & Out starts and ends with Kevin Kline, who continues to grow as a resourceful, disciplined comedy actor. He is restrained and low-key when the part demands it, but is also willing to dive headlong into frantic behavior when it is called for. Kline's wild solo dance in his living room threatens to become as memorable a moment as Tom Cruise's dance in his underwear in Risky Business.

All told, In & Out sets high standards for both hilarity and insight as the first big comedy hit of the fall season.