As a comedy, In & Out is completely successful. Mr. Kline as Howard Brackett is a very personable character: completely likeable, unconfronting, good looking. He has great comedic timing, as do most of the rest of the cast. Although a lot of the best bits are in the previews, the funniest bits, involving Mr. Bob Newhart, aren't. He is one of the funniest people around and, as the principal of Greenleaf High, plays his role to perfection. Just the way he can scrunch up his face or look sideways at someone can cause great mirth in the movie theatre.

On a deeper level, how does this movie deal with its subject matter? I'd have to say that it's hard to tell. Unfortunately to discuss this, I'll have to give away part of the plot but it's nothing you won't have discovered if you've read any other reviews of In & Out or seen the previews. The problem most people have raised is Howard's ignorance of his sexuality, that he discovers he is homosexual because he likes to dance and has all the Barbra Streisand albums. The reaction to this is that Hollywood is stereotyping gays and is, perhaps, laughing at its subject matter. There are two responses to this. First, I'm not convinced that Howard is unaware of his sexuality. In & Out seems to be saying that Howard is fighting it, perhaps even repressing it. When the revelation comes, it isn't so much that Howard is surprised to be gay but rather surprised that he has the courage to admit it. Second, I think a lot of the jokes are deliberately playing up the stereotypes to ridicule them. This is always dangerous ground; it's a fine line between enforcing stereotypes and challenging them. There is always the risk that people will misinterpret the motives. Either way, I don't think the question of sexual orientation is the one handled the worst.

More worrying to me is the character played by Ms. Joan Cusack. We're all so politically correct that we will spot the smallest amount of homophobia anywhere but spotting sexism is now passe. Yes, it is a movie about homosexuality but I am just so sick of the roles that women get given. Here is a female whose sole purpose in life is to get married (Muriel without the irony); whose complete self esteem rests on some male finding her attractive. Yes, she is funny and she has some great lines but the political incorrectness of her role is completely overlooked.

What it boils does to is this. In & Out is a very funny movie. Although it is very mainstream in its treatment of homosexuality, the fact that this movie has been made suggests that we've come along way with respect to sexual orientation. It seems, however, that no matter what the sexual orientation of the protagonists, women are still second class citizens.

Rating: CR