How would you rewrite the ending? - In & Out (1997) Discussion

[–] 19 years ago

[deleted]

[–] clammyavenger 19 years ago

"I would have had at least one of those people stand up and yell 'I AM SPARTACUS!'"

That would've been great.

The only thing about the edning I would change is maybe a little more leading into Peter and Howard being a couple. Other than that, I really liked it.

reply

[–] 19 years ago

[deleted]

[–] clammyavenger 19 years ago

They could still have gotten that across, but they imply that he ends up with Peter anyway-- and for Peter, it would have shown more of him actually caring about something he wasn't putting TV (more so than just not having his cameraman show up at the wedding).

reply

[–] sophia2206 19 years ago

Stereotypes exist because there are men out there who make Howard look like a NASCAR driving, muleskinner who clubs seals on the weekends. Some of them are gay and some of them are too terrified to come out but don't realize that their entire persona has outted them. Then there's Tony Randall, I'd have bet my bottom that he was unable to achieve a naturally conceived child and he went and had TWO. Life is odd.

My ending: Howard dumps Peter for Kyan who gives him a terrific make over and they live in NYC happily ever after.

________________________________________Isn't it pretty to think so?

reply

[–] ijonesiii 19 years ago

Why do you feel the ending is a cop-out? I'm just curious.

reply

[–] Chocaca2000 19 years ago

I thought it seemed like the story was ment to be that howard and peter get married at the end but it looks like they changed it at the last miniute to have his parents re-vow instead.

reply

[–] ijonesiii 19 years ago

I don't think Peter and Howard getting married is the point the film is trying to make. The point of the film is that Howard has supposedly come to terms with his sexuality and has determined that he is indeed gay and that he and Peter are going to begin a relationship. It is clear during the wedding that Howard and Peter are a couple now and that is the point of the film...that Howard has come to the realization that he is gay and has found a man who wants to be with him.

reply

[–] Something_new90 19 years ago

I dont think he was gay. I know the writer intentions were for him to know he was gay but in real lifei think everyone just fooled him he was gay by just saying it over and over again. I think that he should've come out then live as a gay man and realize he didnt like guys, he was just feminate then hed try to patch things back up with emily. There could've been a scene where hes about to have gay sex but cant get it up and then it hits him and he runs to Emily.

reply

[–] sophia2206 19 years ago

Yeah, you can be talked into being gay, and I can be talked into looking like Charlize Theron -- NOT!

Howard and Peter should not get together at the end of the movie, you always break up with your first boyfriend. They can get together later, after Howard finds his place in the world as who he really is. And while that won't be so very different from who he is now, there will be sleeping around.

________________________________________Isn't it pretty to think so?

reply

[–] stevenackerman69 17 years ago

I would've had Howard choke that stupid Cameron Drake, an untalented jerk, for saying he was gay when he wasn't. Then I would've had him shoot Tom Selleck in the balls, castrating him. Then Howard and Emily would get married and that would be that. This was a stupid film and the executives who green lighted it should be shot!!!!!!!

reply

[–] ashtontylo 14 years ago

Wow!Some really emotional responses there....I feel that the most natural way to end this would be with Howard and Peter together,somewhere.Not necessarily at their own wedding,just somewhere together.There could be a reference in their conversation regarding Cameron Drake.Howard reveals that,in the past, he had an affair with a close friend of Drake's.That is how Cameron knew.

reply

[–] gldrgidr-1 14 years ago

Howard knows that he has never had feelings for men and refuses to allow public opinion and homophobic superstition to decide how he lives his life. He marries Emily, and they have three kids. He eventually does get his job back.

It was obvious from the first half of the film that Howard is not gay and has never had gay feelings. He's never even questioned that he's heterosexual. This movie portrayed him as the dumbest man alive - conned into thinking that he must be gay because everyone else says so.

The lesson is that no one should be judged based on stereotypes and that the public's homophobia should never be allowed to ruin a good man's life.

Too much, too soon, too long, too strong, too many,
to fix.

reply

[–] maniuis 13 years ago

That's a tough one... hmmm... well, the actor talks to the teacher, explains he's not gay and the teacher ends up realizing he ain't gay either. He goes looking for Joan Cusack and finds her in bed with a guy she met a bar. He tells her he's not gay and she punches him again -and kicks him in the testicles as well. She decides to leave town for good and goes to the bus station when she finds the actor. He tells her that his girlfriend -the model- was so angry at him when he made it back to the hotel that she took the car and dumped him. She tells him what happened with the teacher and that she does not want to see him again. Finally they kissed and leave together.

reply

[–] Jack_rabbit 13 years ago

I would have Kevin Kleins character instructed by the ghost of a child to choose between three different actions. One will kill all gay people in the world and result in a world of only heterosexual people. One which kills all heterosexual people, leaving only homosexuals. The third choice only shows up in the directors cut version of the film and would have everyone in the world becoming bisexual.
Then, Tom Sellik and Joan Cusack are seen speeding down the freeway with an explosion hot on their heels (the colour of which depends on the choice that Kevin made) before they crash into field, leave the car and just stare off into the sunset.
Roll Credits.

reply

[–] joedogboy68 11 years ago

Have him cancel the wedding before the ceremony (or perhaps she cancels it when he is unable to seal the deal when he goes to ravage her, or sees Peter kissing him), because he is unsure of his sexuality (due to the pressure form everyone who assumes he is gay).
Then he loses his job, because he is assumed to be gay.
Then, at graduation, everyone starts in with "If being smart, liking poetry, and dressing well make him gay, then I'm gay, too", He is rehired. and leave off with his parents enjoying all the wedding stuff, and him still unsure - allowing viewers to make up their own minds about whether he's gay or not.
A bit darker, but also more believable. The "happy ending" is that the town realizes that they are victims of their own prejudices.

reply

[–] blindvias-071407 10 years ago

I would have written Jack as a closeted teen. He already looked up to Howard. So Howard helps him through a rough patch including coming out. Then give Jack a small bit of amor with some other teenager.

Then in the end Howard realizes what a fool he's been, that he loves Peter and so he goes after Peter to try and salvage something. Pare down the Emily story. Skip the church scene. So dopey. Do we care about any of that? She was made to be such a fool which I didn't like. Show her sadness but also show some gratitude how she'd been saved from wasting any more time with a gay fiancé.

Add more content using Newhart and Reynolds.

reply

[–] louiseculmer 10 years ago

i wouldn't rewrite it. Everyone is happy at the end, and Howard gets Tom Selleck. What more could he want?

reply