In & Out

The 1997 American comedy film "In and Out" is directed by Francis Ford Coppola and written by Paul Rudnick. In this story, a middle-aged Midwestern English teacher, Howard Beale, has been openly gay in his small hometown of Smithville in Ohio. However, he was closeted when he was younger and attended the University of Indiana, where he had a romantic relationship with his high school sweetheart, Emily. The film starts with a ceremony at the Academy Awards, where Howard's former student, Peter Malloy, gives a heartfelt speech while presenting an award. Peter, a talented writer, thanks Howard for teaching him the art of writing. However, his speech catches the nation's attention when he mentions his former teacher, Howard, and mentions that he "learned how to write by watching you and being gay." Howard's hometown is shocked and confused upon hearing Peter's statement on national television. Emily, who lives in Smithville, immediately contacts Howard and asks him to return home for her wedding. Howard decides to attend the wedding as a way to face his hometown and clear up any misconceptions people may have about him. However, Peter's announcement also sparks a chain of events that makes Howard question his own identity. Upon Howard's arrival in Smithville, he discovers that people have been speculating about his alleged closeted gay life since Peter's announcement at the Oscars. This gossip affects his relationships at school, causing many students, colleagues, and parents to stare, whisper, and make jokes. Emily tries to help her fiancé comfort Howard but her actions and her family make Howard uncomfortable. Meanwhile, Howard reconnects with his high school sweetheart, Emily, who now reveals that she is marrying a woman and that she had long suspected Howard to be gay but had decided to let sleeping dogs lie. Despite their complicated past and current feelings towards each other, Emily supports Howard's journey of self-discovery. As the story unfolds, Howard navigates the complexities of his relationships with his family members, including his overprotective and traditional mother, his loving and supportive father, and his gay brother, who has a long-term partner. Howard's gay brother, who lives in New York City, has his own way of dealing with their parents' homophobia. He marries his partner in a mock-up ceremony to make an example and demonstrate that marriage is not just meant for straight couples. Throughout the film, Howard has to deal with the pressures of being "outed" in a conservative and small-town community. He faces awkward conversations, judgments, and stereotypes from his students and friends. At one point, Howard has a heart-wrenching conversation with his mother, where he asks her to accept him for who he is. In the end, the film presents a heartwarming moment of acceptance and closure between Howard and his mother.