Word: comically
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Inspired by Tom Hanks' teary-eyed tribute to a gay high school drama teacher upon receiving the Best Actor Oscar for "Philadelphia," "In & Out" explores the comic potential of the impact of such an event on small-town America-in this case, the "great BIG small town" of Greenleaf, Indiana. The twist is that the teacher in question, Howard Brackett (Kevin Kline) refuses to admit he's gay, and what's more, is virtually on the eve of his marriage to a fellow schoolteacher (Joan Cusack). Nonetheless, despite his protestations, he's immediately confronted with throngs of reporters and townsfolk...
...rest of the principal cast is chock-full of top-notch comic actors who unfortunately aren't given enough room to expand beyond the realm of the obvious. Cusack's fans will likely enjoy her turn as the ugly-duckling fiancee badly in need of a self-esteem booster (which of course she gets, this being movie comedy land). Debbie Reynolds plays a blander kind of "Mother" more reminiscent of the comic strip "Cathy" than her recent foray with Albert Brooks. Bob Newhart, as the high school principal, manages to keep a completely deadpan expression throughout the entire movie, almost...
...nuns and monks, say, who are content with God's radiant attention--sets out in life to remain obscure? Fame is fun--and vindication. One need never be lonely, anywhere, ever. Fame has style, glamour, money, attention; ignites the sudden light of recognition in strangers' eyes, commands the comic deference of headwaiters as they sweep you past the serfs and hoi polloi to the best table...
...heart of its intricacy, the film basically follows the misfortunes of three Los Angeles cops as they trace the links among the murder of a corrupt colleague, a pioneer of sleazoid celebrity journalism (Danny DeVito, who brings huge comic relish to the role), a shadowy social climber (David Straithairn), who is enamored of underworld glamour, a call girl (an entrancing Kim Basinger) working for a service whose employees are obliged to imitate movie stars (she's the Veronica Lake look-alike), and, eventually, major players in the Los Angeles law-enforcement hierarchy...
...Burns, the filmmakers have commissioned a clay model of the comic's head, accurate down to "every blemish, wart and liver spot," as Greenberg puts it. The head will then be scanned into a computer and brought to life with what is known as motion-capture technology, using data from sensors that have been attached to an actor--in this case the old impressionist Frank Gorshin, who will give Burns' performance. No doubt this production will be watched closely by the effects industry, as well as by Rich Little's agent. Greenberg is promising pretty grand results: "Someone with...