Howard Brackett, portrayed by Kevin Kline, is a well-respected English literature teacher enjoying a tranquil existence in Greenleaf, Indiana. His life is shared with his fiancée, Emily Montgomery, played by Joan Cusack, who is also a dedicated teacher. The town is abuzz with excitement over the nomination of one of Howard's former students, Cameron Drake (Matt Dillon), for the prestigious Best Actor award at the Academy Awards. Cameron's role as a gay soldier in the impactful war film To Serve and Protect has captured the hearts of many, heightening the town's anticipation for the event.
When Cameron wins the accolade, his acceptance speech sends shockwaves through Greenleaf; he not only thanks Howard for his inspiration but also boldly declares, "and he's gay!" This unexpected revelation leaves everyone reeling. Howard's family, including his parents (Debbie Reynolds and Wilford Brimley), cousins (Gregory Jbara, Kate McGregor-Stewart, among others), friends (Debra Monk, Ernie Sabella), and even his fiancée, are taken aback. However, the most profound impact is felt by Howard himself, who is left grappling with disbelief and irritation, desperately trying to convince those around him that he is, indeed, straight.
In the aftermath of the awards ceremony, a media frenzy descends upon his small town. Journalists swarm Howard, clamoring for interviews to further probe into his life following Cameron's revelation. Even his boss, Principal Halliwell (Bob Newhart), feels the pressure of the unwanted attention drawn to their school. Although many reporters leave after obtaining their stories, one tenacious journalist, the openly gay Peter Malloy (Tom Selleck), decides to linger. He hopes to cover Howard's upcoming wedding to Emily, but as the days wear on, Howard's anxiety about his perceived sexual orientation grows.
Deterred by the evolving views of those around him, Howard decides that intimacy with Emily might be the only way to prove his heterosexuality. However, as he attempts to sleep with her, his conflicting feelings and Emily’s evident concern bring him to a halt. Throughout this chaos, Howard finds himself in conversation with Peter, who shares his own coming-out experiences. Peter believes Howard is in denial about his true self and encourages him to be truthful to himself and those around him. Despite Peter’s encouragement, Howard adamantly maintains his heterosexuality, leading to a surprising kiss from Peter, which leaves Howard perplexed yet somewhat intrigued.
In a desperate bid to affirm his identity, Howard turns to a self-help audio cassette, yet even this fails to provide the solace he seeks. During the wedding ceremony, while Emily delivers her vows with certainty, Howard's moment arrives and instead of affirming his love for her, he declares, "I'm gay." This shocking revelation cancels their nuptials and thrusts Howard into a whirlwind of anger and regret for the hurt he caused Emily, compounded by the loss of his job due to the fallout from his coming out.
Despite the setbacks, Howard remains devoted to his students and attends the graduation ceremony, where he garners unexpected support. When one of his students expresses outrage over Howard's dismissal due to his sexual orientation, it snowballs into an empowering moment, as other students, members of his family, and townsfolk begin to publicly declare their solidarity with Howard.
As the media coverage escalates, Cameron Drake, moved by the events unfolding in his hometown, returns from Los Angeles with his supermodel girlfriend (Shalom Harlow) to support Howard. Although Howard does not receive the 'Teacher Of The Year' title, Cameron surprises him with a heartfelt gift – his Oscar.
In a joyous conclusion, Howard's wedding-obsessed mother finally gets to celebrate a wedding of her own when she and her husband choose to renew their vows. The film wraps up with an exuberant reception, where amidst the jubilant crowd, Howard, Peter, and everyone else celebrate together, including Emily and Cameron, who seem to have started a relationship of their own. The closing scene resonates with the upbeat melody of the Village People's "Macho Man," encapsulating the unexpected turns of life and love.
