I Love You Phillip Morris | Film Review

Story by Dylan Bliss 

| Published Dec 7, 2010

It may be bold, but I can proudly declare that Jim Carrey is one of the finest working actors in Hollywood. If he wasn’t veiled by the physical comedy aspect of his career, I think many more would agree that performances in “Eternal Sunshine”, “The Grinch” and “Man on the Moon” are incredibly involved and worth some serious credit. “I Love You Phillip Morris” is not Carrey’s first comedy/biopic, but it’s his bravest by far.

Before reversing his sexual preference and becoming an extremely successful con artist following a nasty car accident, Steven Russell (Carrey) was a happy, humble, and loving husband. This film tells a true story about how Russell falls in love with a fellow homosexual prison inmate named Phillip Morris (Ewan Mcgregor), and how his increasingly desperate jailbreaks tear their relationship apart.

Carrey narrates his experiences from his deathbed, wrought with AIDS. The film briskly moves from one event to another, carrying laughter and endearment in tow as the audience struggles to understand this man’s strange motives. The film doesn’t smash homosexuality in your face quite as hard as Penn’s “Milk,” but it’s definitely addressed outwardly and often. Just like the Grinch, which I screen every year, we’re faced with a protagonist that harbors good intentions with poor execution. Carrey’s on-screen brilliance leads us to believe that he is truly capable of escaping prison several times to fall into another lucrative business venture.

“I Love You Phillip Morris” is not for those who are uncomfortable with boy-on-boy action and offbeat sensibilities, but it’s no doubt worth a look. If you are interested, I wish you luck finding this film anywhere other than an AMC in San Fransisco or a torrent provider. Most will have to wait patiently for a DVD.