Howard Brackett (Kevin Kline) is a well-liked English literature teacher, living a quiet life in the fictional town of Greenleaf, Indiana, with his fiancée and fellow teacher Emily Montgomery (Joan Cusack), who recently lost 75 pounds. The town is filled with anticipation over the nomination of Howard's former student Cameron Drake (Matt Dillon) in the Academy Award for Best Actor category at the Academy Awards for his portrayal of a gay soldier in ''To Serve and Protect''. Cameron does indeed win the award and, in his acceptance speech, thanks Howard, adding, ". . . and he's gay."