JohnnyLee1
SPOILER ALERT This movie depends a lot on the charisma of its two (straight) stars. I appreciate how difficult it is to film a true story and stick (more or less) to the facts. I knew nothing about this man so everything to me was unexpected which helped me appreciate it more. Obviously the comic elements didn't exist in the real story but I felt that they exaggerated the camp aspect at times. However they sure made the film entertaining! Kudos especially to Jim Carrey. And I'll always appreciate Chances Are more after seeing that late night prison dance scene!
Charlotte8171
One word: AMAZING. A tear jerking film that was totally worth watching, I saw it once but wasn't watching it seriously so I had to watch it again (cried both times though!). I thought it was weird at first seeing Jim Carrey play a gay man with Ewan McGregor but you come to realise that the film is just about pure love, persistence, and connection between two people. This is the first film I've seen where it actually made sense and worked SO WELL it kind of surprised me how into it I got. I could genuinely understand their relationship in a very weird but wonderful way. The intelligence and wit of Jim's very complex but pure at heart character is truly something to behold, conning his way through jobs in amazingly crafty ways along with the very soft, quiet, and lovable character Ewan plays is crafted in a way that I can't put into words; it just worked so well. Although the two characters are polar opposites, they work so harmoniously together. If you want a film that isn't just your 'stereotypical hot gay gays' film and is funny, sad, and exciting then it is perfect; a must watch, I wish the film went on longer. Amazing as well to realise that this was actually based on real life. Perfect film.
moonspinner55
Jim Carrey plays real-life con-artist and closeted married man Steven Russell, who had incredible, indefatigable moxie when it came to cutting corners, telling lies and cheating the system--but who was also a crook with no street smarts, leading to numerous incarcerations. Peculiar adaptation of Steven McVicker's book--a dramatized true story penned by the film's two directors, Glenn Ficarra and John Requa--is well-acted by Carrey and Ewan McGregor, but is often agonizing to sit through (Russell's flamboyant but not-thought-through cons are mounted with the kind of precise awkwardness that makes one cringe). Russell makes a heartfelt deathbed promise to his lover that he will take care of his next partner without the artifice, and fails to do so. Is this irony? The film begins as high comedy (pitched too high, perhaps) before working in a more serious undercurrent, which the filmmakers then undercut with more wild behavior (some of it too silly, as with the tag). Carrey has lost his boyish appeal and now appears gaunt, emaciated (even when his character is supposed to be healthy and prosperous). The actor is so ghostly, it takes a while to believe in the love relationship he forges with McGregor's trusting Phillip Morris (who was jailed for "keeping a rental car too long"). The picture does work on occasion, and there are magnificent moments that mix a raucous, crazy-quilt sort of comedy with genuine sweetness (as with the lovers' dance in jail to Johnny Mathis' "Chances Are"). If the movie fails as a whole, it may be due in part to the final sequence of events, which intentionally (but not amusingly) cheat the audience. Steven, in and out of jail before feigning illness, flashes back on a childhood memory and shares a teary phone-farewell with his partner, but these scenes are pointless. They've been designed to give Carrey a hearty moment or two as an actor, and yet the 'cute' twist has no payoff beyond a slap in the face. After investing one's time and interest in these characters, Russell isn't the only one who gets a cold slap. **1/2 from ****
FilmBuff1994
I Love You Phillip Morris is a great movie with a well developed storyline and a fantastic cast. It's a very interesting turn for Jim Carrey, one of his best movies in years, he really becomes the character, a religious family man who becomes a homosexual con man after a car accident, the story is just as intriguing as his performance and you will find it surprising as I did that it's all true. For the fact that's it's a true story, I felt it could have been better as a biography film, rather than just a straight up comedy, the film could have had an expanded runtime and showcased the life of Steven Russell to a more significant degree, his life was certainly interesting enough and Carrey's portrayal definitely could have kept my attention for longer than ninety minutes. The film is not afraid to take risks, which is what I enjoyed the most about it, it's certainly different, it puts a character in the lead role who is almost impossible to sympathise with, and yet we do, their portrayal of Russell's love life is also somewhat more detailed than people would have liked to see, I admired it for not playing things safe. Funny, well acted and very intriguing, I Love You Phillip Morris may not take full advantage of its incredible true story, but it's certainly worth the watch if you're looking for a good comedy or crime film. After realising his true sexual orientation, Steven Russel starts to live a high profile life with his new boyfriend, however, he becomes a con man to afford it. He is soon found out and put into prison,where he meets Phillip Morris. Best Performance: Jim Carrey
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