Currently heated discussion of gay marriage makes the cool-headed “Inlaws and Outlaws” a timely examination of the nature of marriage, whether straight or gay. Lovingly rendered talking-heads effort puts emphasis on basic tenets on basic human connection, not on sexual orientation or social attitudes. Film will make ideal pubcasting material, and a fine educational tool in non-fundamentalist school districts.
Pic starts with beautifully shot snippets of kids saying perceptive things about what the future holds for them, relationship-wise. It then moves on to grown-ups, who recall how they met, and sometimes married, significant others of both sexes. Helmer Drew Emery cleverly assembles the chats so that it takes a while to realize some participants are talking about each other. Highlights include an older woman who married a man with her lover as a bridesmaid, and an articulate ex-marine who only found himself after leaving Vietnam. Only small misstep is frequent cutaways to live-performance clips of drag-dressed singer Felicia Loud performing original jazz tunes. These make tonal contrast without actually adding much to the conversation.
