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About The daily Nebraskan. ([Lincoln, Neb.) 1901-current | View Entire Issue (Sept. 19, 1997)
KEVIN KUNE (left) and Tom Selleck star in “In & Out covering one’s sexuality. Photo courtesy of Paramount Pictures a Frank Oz comedy that adds humor to the problem of dis Comedy shines In & Out By Gerry Beltz Film, Critic A little bit goes a long way in “In & Out.” Director Frank Oz bounces back from the incredibly average “The Indian In The Cupboard,” and scores another hit to add to previous suc cesses such as “Dirty Rotten Scoundrels” and “What About Bob?” One of Oz’s gifts for success is tapping the right talent for the right job, and placing Kevin Kline in the role of a small-town English and drama teacher is the big, red bow on a wonderful overall film. Although the subject of homo sexuality isn’t one that is often fol lowed by fits.of uncontrollable laughter, Oz helps the film slip through the choking grasp of reality by making virtually every character a caricature of itself. Howard Brackett (Kline) finds his life turning upside down and inside out when a former student (Matt Dillon) makes the announce ment during his Oscar-acceptance speech that Howard is gay. This comes as a complete sur prise to everyone in town - including Howard, who is getting married in just a few days. That’s just the beginning of Howard’s roller-coaster ride - a bloodthirsty journalist (Tom Movie Review Selleck) is after Howard and “the truth,” Howard’s students begin to notice “things” about his everyday behavior and eventually even Howard begins to doubt himself, partially because he and his bride to-be, Elizabeth (Joan Cusack), have never been physically intimate dur ing their three-year engagement. The entire movie isn’t all laughs and guffaws, of course. Howard’s employment comes into question, and several misconceptions about homosexuality are brought out dur ing the film. Although too comedic to make any serious political statements, “In & Out” is a film with a very firmly based opinion. It manages to drive the point home gently and even lets the stupid humans learn a thing or two before the movie is finished. Kline is absolutely fabulous, whether he’s playing an introspec tive thinker or cutting a rug to “I Will Survive,” and he more than makes up for appearing in the lethally bor ing “Fierce Creatures.” Cusack is also a blast as Howard’s uptight fiancee, who does n’t know who or what to believe. Between “In & Out” and “Grosse Pointe Blank,” Cusack has once again proven she is one of Hollywood’s most underrated per The Facts Title: “In and Out” Stars: Kevin Kline, Joan Cusack, Tom Selleck, Matt Dillon Director: Frank Oz Rating: PG-13 (language, adult situation) Grade: B+ Five Words: How a surprise affects reality. formers, and should be tapped more often. Selleck actually gives one of the best performances of the movie underplaying the scoop-hungry reporter Peter. His take on tabloid type reporters, actually sidesteps the norm and adds a dimension to the exchanges between Howard and him. As with several Oz films, the movie does have a few unexpected twists and turns, so make sure you pee and get your popcorn before “In & Out” begins. Overall, “In & Out” is a wonder ful gem of a flick: great perfor mances, good script (though the pac ing was a bit off) and a gentle blend of drama and side-splitting laughter. (Critic’s note: At the beginning, while the Best Actor nominees are being read, pay attention to the movie title associated with the actor in question. That in itself is a riot.) Check out “In & Out.” Legendary female icons meet face to face in western opera By Liza Holtmeier Senior Reporter Calamity Jane and Annie Oakley star side by side in an opera this weekend. Heartland Opera Theater, the professional touring ensemble of Opera Omaha, opens its season with “Opera Goes West” at the Omaha Children’s Museum Saturday. Jane Hill, Opera Omaha’s executive director, and Hal France, artistic director and prin cipal conductor, created the pro duction hoping to expand knowl edge of the history of Nebraska and westward expansion. The show features the charac ters Ms. Patti, Calamity Jane, Horace Tabor and Annie Oakley, together on a magical train, the “Way Back Engine.” The train transports them from the 19th century to current-day Omaha. The group attempts to make the best of the situation with pop ular Old West and modern song. Nebraska’s history plays a signif icant role in the production, and characters refer to Chief Sitting Bull, the railroads and Buffalo Bill’s Wild West Show. Friendships between the charac ters soon form, but the train forces them to return to the Old West. “There’s a really neat scene with Annie Oakley and Calamity Jane,” said Liesl Jeffrey, market ing coordinator. “It’s the whole ‘Anything You Can Do, I Can Do Better,’ and shows what would have happened if these two leg ends had met.” In addition to its focus on his tory, the opera focuses on the role of the arts in westward expansion. “When settlers moved their families west in the 1880s, they also brought their culture and a There s a really neat scene with Annie Oakley and Calamity Jane.” Liesl Jeffrey marketing coordinator arts, including opera,” France said. “Singers such as Adelina Patti toured the country, perform ing at opera houses such as Boyd’s Opera House in Omaha.” The opera will feature Heartland Opera Theater Soprano Anne DeVries as opera legend Adelina Patti. She will perform popular opera songs from the 1880s,with_a medley of arias, opera medleys for solo voices and instrumental accompaniment. “Opera Goes West” starts at 11 a.m. Saturday and is free with museum admission. Sunday, Sept. 21 @ 1 pm NU vs. Arkansas at Abbott Sports Complex (located 11/2 miles north of Comhusker Hwy. on 70 th Street) huskerwGhtcast. com m m!5«Sul!S THt WORLD'S MOST POPULAR MUSICAL
