Diksia.com - Kevin Kline is one of the most versatile and acclaimed actors in Hollywood, with a career spanning over four decades and multiple genres. He has won an Oscar, two Tonys, and three Golden Globes, among other awards.
He is also known for his comedic timing, his dramatic range, and his musical talent. But perhaps one of his most memorable years was 1997, when he starred in three very different films that showcased his diverse skills and earned him critical and commercial success.
In & Out: A Comedy About Coming Out
In & Out is a 1997 comedy film directed by Frank Oz and written by Paul Rudnick. It stars Kevin Kline as Howard Brackett, a high school English teacher in a small town in Indiana, who is outed as gay by his former student Cameron Drake (Matt Dillon), a Hollywood star who wins an Oscar for playing a gay soldier.
The film follows Howard’s struggle to deal with his sexuality, his relationship with his fiancée Emily (Joan Cusack), and the media frenzy that surrounds him. The film also features Tom Selleck as Peter Malloy, a gay reporter who falls for Howard, and Debbie Reynolds as Howard’s supportive mother.
The film was inspired by Tom Hanks’s acceptance speech at the 1994 Oscars, where he thanked his gay drama teacher and a gay classmate. The film was praised for its humor, its heart, and its positive portrayal of gay characters.
It was also a box office hit, grossing over $63 million in the US. Joan Cusack was nominated for an Oscar for Best Supporting Actress for her role as Emily, but lost to Kim Basinger in L.A. Confidential.
Fierce Creatures: A Satire of Corporate Greed
Fierce Creatures is a 1997 comedy film directed by Robert Young and Fred Schepisi, and written by John Cleese. It is a spiritual sequel to the 1988 film A Fish Called Wanda, as it reunites the same four main actors: Kevin Kline, John Cleese, Jamie Lee Curtis, and Michael Palin.
However, the film has a different plot and characters, and is not a direct continuation of the previous film.
The film is set in a British zoo that is acquired by a ruthless media mogul, Rod McCain (Kevin Kline), who wants to increase its profits by replacing the cute animals with fierce ones.
The zoo’s director, Rollo Lee (John Cleese), comes up with a scheme to make the existing animals appear more dangerous, while the zookeepers, led by the eccentric Adrian “Bugsy” Malone (Michael Palin), try to sabotage his plan.
Meanwhile, Rod’s son Vince (also played by Kevin Kline), and his business partner Willa Weston (Jamie Lee Curtis), arrive to oversee the zoo’s operations, and both fall in love with Rollo.
The film is a satire of corporate greed, media sensationalism, and animal exploitation. It also features many references and jokes about the previous film, such as Kevin Kline playing two roles, John Cleese being attacked by animals, and Michael Palin having a speech impediment.
The film was less successful than A Fish Called Wanda, both critically and commercially, but it still has a cult following among fans of the original film.
The Ice Storm: A Drama About Family Dysfunction
The Ice Storm is a 1997 drama film directed by Ang Lee and written by James Schamus, based on the 1994 novel of the same name by Rick Moody. It stars Kevin Kline as Ben Hood, a suburban father who has an affair with his neighbor Janey Carver (Sigourney Weaver), while his wife Elena (Joan Allen) and his children Wendy (Christina Ricci) and Paul (Tobey Maguire) deal with their own issues.
The film is set in 1973, during the Watergate scandal and the sexual revolution, and depicts the moral decay and emotional detachment of the upper-middle-class families in Connecticut. The film also features Elijah Wood, Katie Holmes, and Allison Janney in supporting roles.
The film is a bleak and realistic portrayal of the American Dream gone sour, and the consequences of infidelity, alienation, and repression. It is also a visual masterpiece, with stunning cinematography and production design that capture the mood and atmosphere of the 1970s.
The film culminates in a climactic scene during a severe ice storm, where the characters face their fates and their choices. The film was widely acclaimed by critics, and won several awards, including the Golden Bear at the Berlin International Film Festival. It is considered one of Ang Lee’s best films, and one of Kevin Kline’s most dramatic performances.
1997 was a remarkable year for Kevin Kline, as he demonstrated his versatility and talent in three very different films. He made audiences laugh, cry, and think, and proved that he is one of the finest actors of his generation. Whether he is playing a gay teacher, a greedy tycoon, or a cheating husband, he always brings charisma, depth, and nuance to his roles. He is truly a master of comedy and drama, and a legend of cinema.
