21 May 2012

I Love You Phillip Morris (2009)

It's difficult not to like a movie that casts two of my favorite actors, Jim Carrey and above all Ewan McGregor (I still remember that movie Trainspotting, I saw it on theatre). The movie it's all we, fan of gay-themed movie, always have hoped for: enough money to cast good actors, to have a good setting, to have good sound, good plot... everything is good. The only bad thing? It has a bittersweet happy ending. And no, this is not a spoiler, it's only reality. It's enough for you to go and read Steven Russell's entry in wikipedia to know what happened ([...])... this is probably one of the few cases in which I hope justice was not equal for everyone, and that crimes get unpunished!

21 May 2012

Just push it!

The thoroughly entertaining and easily watchable `I Love You Phillip Morris' may not seem like your typical Friday Night Fare, and for some of you the blatant homosexual themes will probably be a major detractor, but one thing that this film has going for it is a tendency to push the envelope and a fearless spirit, which only helps to sell us on the film's overt ridiculousness. Oh yeah, and it's kind of based on a true story. Jim Carrey, comedian extraordinaire, tackles one of his most outlandish roles to date; that of Steven Russell...a successful business man turned con-man after an accident causes an epiphany that forces him out of the closet and into the `very expensive' lifestyle of the gay and the proud. His cons catch up with him though and soon he finds himself in jail. There he meets the soft spoken and instantly adorable Phillip Morris. For the love of his newfound `friend', Steven continues his cons in the pursuit of real happiness with the love of his life. Love is tricky though, and so is conning. Jim Carrey sells every scene. He's always had a knack for the extreme, and he definitely takes this character to the extreme. It was Ewan McGregor that really nailed it for me though. The way he handles what could have been nothing but a stock character (dimwitted yet suffering significant other) is truly great. He captures the naivety needed to draw us into Phillip, and his soft-spoken demeanor is both an ode to the lifestyle and a play on the film's apparent `stereotypical' understanding of it. The script is sharp, as is the film's pacing. They cover a lot of ground in a short time, yet it never feels rushed. I do think that it goes a little too `Farrelly Brothers' at times with the gags, but when it plays it straight it gets it just right; no pun intended.

A

20 May 2012

Funniest show Ive seen in a long time!

This show was a great depiction of a true story and was very funny. Actors timing was great, the movie jumped around a lot but I am guessing that is because it had to have so much edited out to reach American theaters. I am sorry to see so many bible thumpers out there giving it low ratings. I doubt they ever saw the film (why would they?) and even if they disagree with the gay content giving the film all ‘F’ ratings is not fair. My advice is to stick with Vedgie Tails and don’t act like the homosexual plot snuck up on you to “shove it down your throats”. Get your minds out to the gutter “Christians”.

20 May 2012

Alternately funny and heartbreaking

Evidently at least some of this was based on real events that took place mainly in Texas. A con man falls in love with an inmate, springs him, and keeps ending up in jail over and over because he cannot just stay on the straight path with a decent, honest job. Carrey and MacGregor are very convincing as the couple in this odd comedy that is sometimes very sad.

the-ppfitzgeralds

18 May 2012

The Power Of The Truth

It's more unique than rare that a film affects me this much. Thecenter, the emotional center of Phillip Morris has entered mysubconscious in a way that I can't quite describe. It changed myperception of things. This is the first time I see two men kissing thatmade complete sense. I believe and understood like never before the"normalness" of the feeling. I liked "Brokeback Mountain" too but inthat case, the torturous path of self-loathing that the Heath Ledgercharacter goes trough, kept me at the periphery of the story like asympathetic, moved spectator. Here I was part of it, of them. I'm sureJim Carrey and Ewan McGregor have a lot to do with it. No cheap shots,no low comedy. They are so true that you can't help loving them androoting for them, flaws and all. I predict "I Love You Phillip Morris"will become the sleeper of 2009.

skr-538-625749

18 May 2012

Just didnt get it

This is a con-movie, romance, slapstick comedy, family drama, gay movieand some other genres as well. I really couldn't keep track, andquickly found it very hard to relate to any of the characters. JimCarry was his usual self - which I find very funny - but his comedyseemed to me very misplaced in nearly every scene.The only thing I could really learn here was some great ideas about howto escape from prison - the real life Steven Russel is really brilliantat that.I'm from a country where porn was legalized in the 60's so I'm reallynot offended or provoked by the soft gay porn scenes, I just found themboring and off the point, whatever the point was? So to sum up Iexperienced this as a movie with a messy script I didn't understand,portraying some not very nice nor interesting people I wouldn't getalong with if I met and who's story did not touch me in any way.It is supposed to be based on real life, and if fact sometimes surpassfiction this is an example of such extraordinary weird facts thatshould never have been put into fiction.I do not recommend this movie.On the other hand it has got an 6.9 rating? How is that possible? Itseems like people have watched another movie than me? Or maybe I havejust completely misunderstood it! It's a big mystery to me how it canget such a high rating??

Hypotenuse

16 May 2012

Ewan McGregor is Absolutely Fabulous!

Steven Russell (Jim Carrey) discovered as a young boy that he had been adopted. His parents told him that he was special because they had chosen him. The two people he thought were his parents had put money in a brown bag and gave it to his real mother in the hospital parking lot. His reaction to this news was that he was going to be the best person he could be. As an adult he played the organ in church; he became a policeman; he got married and had a beautiful baby daughter; and he prayed at night next to the bed with his adoring wife. He was living the American Dream, except that it was all a lie – he was gay.Then, surviving a severe auto accident suddenly changed all that, and he decided that if he lived he was going to live his life the way he wanted to, he wanted to be “the real me!” Not only was he gay, he was South Palm Beach gay. He had a lover, dressed in gaudy expensive outfits, but soon discovered that to be gay and to live the lifestyle that he wanted to live, it was very very expensive. So he became a con artist to support his lifestyle. But like most con artists, eventually all his lies caught up with him and he was thrown into a Texas prison. There he met the true love of his life, Philip Morris (Ewan McGregor).This has to be one of the most unusual gay love stories portrayed in film. It is actually based on a true story; although I am sure some artistic license was used to add some details. It was quite sweet to see Steven and Philip woo each other in prison. Steven as the con artist seemed to adjust really well in prison and got away with things that ordinary people could not. I was initially apprehensive about seeing a movie with Jim Carrey portraying a gay man; thought it would be so way over the top it would be insulting. But he was fine and carried it off really well. However, Ewan McGregor was absolutely fabulous as the love-struck, emotional, clueless lover. He transformed himself from the flamboyant dark-haired macho man I remember him playing in Moulin Rouge, to this beautiful blond-haired, blue-eyed, mind-mannered boy. He was very caring and loving and unfortunately too believing in his sweetheart lover.So it is a coming out story with a bit of absurdity. Probably not the best film of the holiday season, but definitely worth a look-see. Gary Kaufman

16 May 2012

Funny and unpredictable

A con man who is gay goes to prison and falls in love with another inmate. He is a slippery character, managing to escape from prison many times, all for the sake of the man that he loves. This is a very clever and funny film that will keep the viewer entertained throughout. It is also unpredictable, and will have you guessing what will happen next.

16 May 2012

CareyMcGregor make a convincing gay couple, but film is a bit uneven.

This film is based on a book, which - in turn - is based on the real life exploits of Steven Russell, an embezzler, con artist and hopeless romantic, who repeatedly managed to get out of prison through devious means. Steven starts off as a devout church-going family man, working as a cop as he tries to track down his birth mother. He and his family then move to Texas, where he starts work for a produce company, and simultaneously starts to explore his same-sex attractions, which he had been repressing for the most part. After a brush with death, Steven decides to come clean about his sexual orientation to his wife, and moves to Florida to live with a boyfriend. Problem: Being an "a-list" gay in Miami is expensive, and Steven sees insurance fraud as the means to that end. He gets caught and sent to prison, where he meets Phillip Morris, and instantly falls in love. Already an expert at "working the system" behind the prison walls, Steven manages to get assigned to share Philip's cell, and, when he gets released, returns posing as Phillip's attorney to get him sprung as well. The couple live an ideally life ... for a while, until Steven's compulsions again (and again) leave them running from the law. As Steven, Jim Carey provides an interesting combination of surprising empathy and sensitivity, combined with his trademark over-the-top comic persona, which is still a little grating in places. Evan McGregor is wasted in the role of Phillip, which he plays with an simple wide-eyed naivety that fits the part. Other than some self-loathing anti-gay comments Steven makes while dealing with his sexuality, and a few bits with outlandish outfits, the film stays remarkably away from stereotypical depictions, and the few outsiders who know their relationship seem to accept it as no big deal. That said, this is a tough film to rate. Unlike the book, which I am told had a serious tone throughout, the film tries to be part documentary / "true crime" drama, and part light romantic comedy. It is that battle between madcap comedy and serious drama that makes this film tough to get into, which I believe is its main failing, which I chalk up to the direction. The acting is good (not great), and it's worth a look. I give it four stars out of five.

RichHartford

15 May 2012

Gays In Love

Bad Santa co-screenwriters Glenn Ficara and John Requa re-team for thisfact-based black comedy entitled,I Love You Philip Morris.It stars JimCarrey as a Texas police officer-turned-con man who makes the leap towhite-collar criminal after being sent to prison and falling in lovewith his sensitive cell mate.This romantic comedy-drama film based onthe 1980s and '90s real-life story of con artist, impostor, andmultiple prison escapee Steven Jay Russell, as played by Carrey. Whileincarcerated, Russell falls in love with his fellow inmate, PhillipMorris,played by Ewan McGregor. After Morris is released from prison,Russell escapes from prison four times in order to be reunited withMorris. It was adapted from I Love You Phillip Morris: A True Story ofLife, Love, and Prison Breaks by Steve McVicker. The film is thedirectorial debut of co-screenwriters, Ficarra and Requa.Steven Jay Russell is on his deathbed, recalling the events of hislife. He spent his early adult years in Virginia Beach as a policeofficer. He plays the organ at church, has unenthusiastic sex with hiswife, Debbie (Leslie Mann), and spends his off hours searching for hisbiological mother,who gave him up as a child. Steven locates hisbiological mother, but she rejects him without explanation.After a carcrash, Steven leaves his family and previous life behind (though hekeeps in touch with his wife and young daughter), and explores theworld as his true self - a gay man. He moves to Miami, finds aboyfriend, and lives a luxurious lifestyle. To keep himself and hisboyfriend in the style to which they have become accustomed, Stevenbecomes a con man. Steven is caught and sent to prison, where he fallsin love with inmate Phillip Morris. Steven cannot bear to be separatedfrom Phillip. After being released, he helps get Phillip freed fromprison by posing as a lawyer, then attains wealth by fraudulentlyacquiring a position as chief financial officer of a largecompany.Steven eventually gets caught embezzling from the company, andgoes back to prison. Phillip is also sent to jail as an accomplice, andangrily tells Steven he never wants to see him again. Months later,Phillip learns from another inmate that Steven is dying of AIDS.Heartbroken, Phillip calls Steven while he is in the infirmary andconfesses that while he is still upset with Steven for lying to him, hestill loves him. Phillip is later told that Steven has died.Sometimelater, Phillip is taken to meet with his lawyer and finds Stevenwaiting for him. Steven describes how he faked having AIDS and dying inorder to see Phillip again, and promises to never lie to him again. Heruns one last con to break Phillip out out of jail, only to be caughtwhen he runs into an old coworker.The end of the movie explains thatthe real- life Phillip Morris was released from jail in 2006, butSteven is still imprisoned, on 23-hour lockup, only having one freehour a day to shower and exercise.The last scene shows Steven laughingjoyfully while running across the prison yard, guards in pursuit, inanother attempt to be with Phillip.Jim Carrey brings dynamo force to the story of a brilliant con man andthe guy he loved.Yes, some familiar Carrey tactics are on display, butthe star's performance has real heart and it's easily the best thing hehas done since Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind.The story is alsointeresting as it demonstrates true love between two people and how itmotivates them despite of their sexual orientation and as a gay couple.Overall,this romantic comedy based on a true story may have flaws, butthey're mostly overcome by its consistently sweet and funny tone.

Turfseer

13 May 2012

Carrey takes on difficult role as charismatic and amoral gay con artist

This is a movie that I decided to watch twice as I was initiallyconfused as to Jim Carrey's take on the character he plays—StevenRussell—the gay con artist who's now serving a life sentence in a Texasprison for a series of multiple con jobs which almost puts BernieMadoff to shame (not quite in terms of monies embezzled but for thesheer style and inventiveness of the con jobs he pulls off). I found 'Ilove you Phillip Morris' a far more convincing portrait of gaycharacters than 'Brokeback Mountain' since the film's creators, GlennFicarra and John Requa, appear to have no interest in promoting thedubious (and politically correct) stance that gay people in generalhave been perennially oppressed from time immemorial. Here, Carrey asRussell makes it quite clear that he's not ashamed of his gayness onebit. In perhaps the most surprising and clever scene in the entirefilm, Russell, enthusiastically engages in sexual intercourse and weexpect it'll be a repeat of an earlier scene with his wife. But lo andbehold, as the camera pulls back, we find that Russell is having analsex with a man, as he proclaims via a voice-over that "I'm gay, gay,gay!".Not only should Carrey be commended for taking on the role of a gayperson who has a real ego and no apparent guilt feelings about beinggay but for also portraying a character who is almost completelyamoral. Thus Russell is shown to be a rather complex character—not yourusual gay 'victim' but rather an unrepentant victimizer! When Russellmeets Phillip Morris in prison for the first time, he shows off hissensitive side by advising Phillip on how he can obtain social servicesfor a critically ill AIDS patient Phillip has been trying to help.Later he sends some of his ill gotten gains to his ex-wife and daughterand seems genuinely interested in their welfare. But Russell is also anobsessive-compulsive character whose love for material things preventshim from feeling real empathy for others. Russell is like apathological gambler who can never stop placing one more bet. And evenhis lover, Phillip, is simply one additional object he must reclaim,after it becomes clear that Phillip is no longer interested in him andhis bizarre and brazen schemes to obtain Phillip's release, are nolonger working.Carrey's take on Russell is always pretty much sympathetic. Someviewers may be put off by the elevation of a con man to such asympathetic status but if Spielberg could do it in 'Catch me if youcan', why can't it be done for a gay character here? The first third ofthe picture, however, is more an affectionate ribbing of a certain kindof gay lifestyle, than a more serious dissection of a certain kind ofasocial, pathological behavior. Carrey goes a little too far intomaking Russell seem like a buffoon in the scene where he confronts hisbirth mother. The attempt at black humor when Russell continuallyadvises a new inmate that the only way to get ahead in the prisonenvironment is to perform oral sex, falls flat as the subject matter ismore tragic than comic.The film really picks up as it examines Steven's and Phillip'srelationship in prison. Ewan McGregor is excellent as Russell's boy toyand even displays a dark side (similar to Russell) when he approves ofRussell's paying off an inmate in another cell block to beat up anotherinmate in their own cell block, whose been keeping Phillip awake everynight by shrieking in a continuously loud and repetitive manner.Carrey is in best form when he poses as a lawyer and gains Phillip'srelease and then lucks out when a Judge approves a judgment for afriend of Phillip in civil court. Russell acquires untoward riches bydefrauding a medical management firm after being hired as their chieffinancial officer.After Russell's scheme is uncovered, not only is he jailed but Phillipis arrested as an accomplice. This after Russell promised Phillip thathis behavior at the medical management firm was above board. As welearn at the end of the film, Phillip actually does about seven yearsin prison as a result of Russell's machinations. So it's quiteunderstandable that Phillip wants nothing to do with him by the film'send.For those who find that Russell's life sentence is excessive, considerthis: Russell puts Phillip through unconscionable emotional pain byallowing him to believe that he's died of AIDS. Then he has theaudacity to pull yet but another scheme, posing as an attorney again,and once again place the man he supposedly is in love with in jeopardy.Phillip slapping Russell in the face is wholly justified. It becomesclear that Russell's pathological behavior will never end and thatpromises to change are insincere. That perhaps is why it's best thatRussell be incarcerated for the rest of his days is the right move(although 23 hours in solitary confinement may indeed be "cruel andunusual punishment").Ewan McGregor as Phillip has the best speech in the film when he speakswith Russell over the phone, believing that he's about to die of AIDS.He acknowledges in his own sick way, Russell did indeed love him but hecould no longer maintain a relationship with him, as he knew thatRussell would return to his manipulative and self-destructive ways.'I love you Phillip Morris' is one of those films worth viewing morethan once. You'll find that it's a cautionary tale about naivety(Morris) and self-deception (Russell). Jim Carrey is not alwayssuccessful in his portrayal of Russell, who may come off a tad bit toosympathetic. Nonetheless, Carrey must be praised for taking on thedifficult role of an amoral and charismatic con man.

loveorlandofl

13 May 2012

I seldom stop watching a movie..., once I start.

Rarely do I stop watching a movie once I start..., but with "I love youPhillip Morris", I had to. I kept watching longer and longer, hopingthat the movie would get better, get more interesting, more believable.But finally had to stop it. And I'm glad I did. My opinion has nothingto do with the theme since I am also gay. It has to do with thebelow-poor performance, the substandard direction, and just about everything about it. If the reader wants to see the opposite of thisattempt, watch "Eyes Wide Open", and you will see the difference. Themovie moves very slowly, with unrelated scenes that have no connectionto each other, not even with the prospect of going back in time. Thehumor by Jim Carrey is exaggerated, especially when he is making loveto his wife. That's about the point when I had to stop. I hope otherviewers enjoyed the movie.

AudioFileZ

10 May 2012

A Very Different Rom-Con, Supremely Entertaining...

"I Love You Phillip Morris" is hard to categorize, while being a truecrime saga it's more complicated. The movie is about the life StevenRussell and his interest, Phillip Morris. The importance of thisrelationship can not be stressed enough as it is the fuel that propelsthe hard to comprehend story of most successful prison escapeartist/con-man extraordinaire of modern time: Steven Russell.This movie is based on a book of the same name by Steve McVicker. Ifthe story had an element of un-film-ability it was impossible to tellas the story is effortlessly brought to life with great pacing ofcomedy lightening the darker elements. A gay con-man's story could beextremely polarizing, but the acting by Jim Carrey and Ewan McGreggor,as well as the excellent screenplay adaptation, serves up a story more"out there" than fiction with outrageously good entertainment value.People who cringe at amorous gay interactions will, most likely, putthat aside since it is depicted with sincerity (and light comedy) toserve the story and no sensationalism in spite of a few graphic scenes.This is no small feat.So, if you enjoy remarkable true-life con-man sagas this is as good asit gets. This story is true which makes it all the more compelling.Simply put: "I Love You Phillip Morris" is a must see and is thereforehighly recommended. I wish Texas would let Steven Russell out of prison(on a Friday the 13th of course) just to see if he could go "straight",I mean stay out of trouble.

09 May 2012

Made it to the one hour mark without a chuckle

This review is from: I Love You Phillip Morris (Amazon Instant Video) At least La Cage aux Folles was funny. This is not. Just dumb. Not even dumber. Good thing it was only 99 cents.

Catherine

09 May 2012

Excellent date movie for all sexual orientations

I got to see an early screening and found the film to be highlyenjoyable. It has a large amount of funny dialogue and sight gags whichmade me giggle, none of which were scatological, a difficult thing tofind in most comedies. The romance was very believable, if illogical.What made Philip Morris so darn irresistible isn't explained, but thatmakes it more of a love story.It's also very refreshing to see a Hollywood film that doesn'treinforce damaging stereotypes about LGBTQ people, unlike the awful andat points offensive "The Kids are All Right." Contrary to how evenheterosexual males are generally depicted in today's films and TVshows, Steven Russell genuinely cares for his ex-wife and daughter,even after moving states away to live as an openly gay man. He keeps intouch with them, follows his daughter's growth, and sends(ill-begotten) money. In addition, the gay characters are largelydepicted as serially monogamous.Overall, I highly recommend this film, especially as a date movie, foradult couples of all sexual orientations.

08 May 2012

A Conman Finds His Soulmate

"I Love You Philip Morris" tells the real life story of Steven Jay Russell, who in 1998 received an unprecedented 144-year prison sentence for fraud, conning, impersonating, and multiple escapes from Houston's Harris County Jail. The film shows us sequences that seem utterly impossible, but in fact actually happened, which only goes to show that truth really is stranger than fiction. No, I will not describe them to you. Enjoying the film depends on the audience's reaction to Russell's actions. It's a little like a magician revealing his secrets; the trick itself is a lot of fun, but seeing what went into making the trick work can be quite fascinating, especially when you realize just how much effort goes into making something look simple. The apparent ease with which he executes his schemes is equally mind boggling.Jim Carrey's portrayal of Russell is a delightful bag of contradictions. He's funny but touching, exaggerated but believable, contemptible but justified, caring but manipulative. There are times when it seems like he's thinking of no one other than himself, and there are other times when it's clear that he does what he does out of love. It's a daring, complex performance, and it's for reasons other than the fact that his character is gay; it establishes that Carrey is capable of something deeper than outlandish personalities and extreme physical comedy. His take on Russell is engaging, although it's not necessarily understandable. This isn't a criticism. Sometimes, it's preferable for audiences to figure out characters for themselves, for them to put their own spin on why certain people are they are way they are.We're given a small glimpse of his childhood, in which he learns that he was adopted. We then flash forward to his early adult years; he's married to a woman who's a bit too religious and perhaps a little ignorant but sweet nonetheless, he has a delightful daughter, and he's the manager of a Texas food service company. But after surviving a car accident, he decides to live his life as an openly gay man, and he leaves his family behind for Miami. It's there he realizes that living a gay lifestyle is more expensive than his salary as a sales manager will allow. So he does what any man vowing to live authentically would do - he becomes a conman. After relatively simple schemes like feigning slips and falls in public places, he plunges headfirst into various types of fraud, including credit card, passport, and insurance. He even sells bad tomatoes.Unfortunately, his crimes catch up with him, and he's arrested and sent to jail in Texas. He learns the ropes quickly; everything essentially boils down to a choice between paying someone off, learning how to fight, or giving someone oral sex. He knows who to talk to and where to guide someone should they need something. He spends all his free time in the library, where he reads nothing but law books. Into his life enters Philip Morris (Ewan McGregor), a soft spoken gay man who was tried and convicted for theft of service. He wants to see if there's a legal way to help an AIDS patient lying in the infirmary. Russell lies and tells Morris that he's a lawyer. The two immediately hit it off. Over the next few weeks, they form their own little slice of heaven in a jail cell, oblivious to the yard beatings and the cell searches.At this point, I'm going to stop describing the plot, for I want you to be surprised by the lengths Russell will go to be with Morris. I will say that what the film, in its own offbeat way, is surprisingly sweet. Glenn Ficarra and John Requa's screenplay, based on Steve McVicker's book "I Love You Philip Morris: A True Story of Life, Love, and Prison Breaks," reveals a delicate and finely crafted balancing act between humor and drama; it's funny, though it never resorts to desperate slapstick or gross-out vulgarities, and it's heartfelt, yet it steers clear of broad, contrived sentimentalism. It's bold and appealing - a romantic comedy that refuses to follow the rules of a romantic comedy.Apart from Carrey and McGregor, I was pleasantly surprised by Leslie Mann, who appears briefly but is no less important as Russell's ex-wife, Debbie. Even after learning that he's gay, even after they get divorced, even after he gets sent to jail, the two remain on fairly good terms. This is amazing coming from a woman perpetually hung up on what the Lord does and does not intend to have happen. She believes that Russell is a man who doesn't know who he is and is always searching for something. I guess that makes sense. Why else would he be so reckless in his attempts at pretending to be what he isn't? Part of what makes "I Love You Philip Morris" such a good movie is that it presents Steven Jay Russell without forcing us towards any definite conclusions about him. True, he may be serving an unusually long jail sentence (in solitary confinement, no less), but you have to admit, he is a romantic.

07 May 2012

An embarrassment and offensive movie for gays and AIDS patients and victims

Hmm, I have an idea...let's make a real-life movie where the lead character is a total gay liar and in the end, we'll completely make a mockery of those who have, and have died of, AIDS. Are you kidding me?? This movie is kind of funny and very touching at points but there's way too much vulgarity and sex than was needed. The ending (his final lie) is such an insult.

rpmarsh78

07 May 2012

Well worth a watch

Not really knowing about the premise of the film before I watched it,all I can say is that it is a wonderful film full of laughs and heartwarming scenes.The scene alone where Phillip Morris (Ewan) runs through the prison tothe song, Love somebody by Nina Simone and ventures against all hisusual instincts to go in to the prison yard just so he can see Steve(Jim Carrey) one last time and tell him he loves him is enough to getyou to watch the film.I honestly had not known it was going to be a gay love story crossedwith Catch me if you can, but if the thought of that doesn't put youoff then you will not be disappointed. I have watched it since againand cant stop listening to the song I mentioned.Go watch it, wont regret it.

amanda-694

07 May 2012

Funny, Sad and True! (from May Nashville preview)

There's really only one thing you need to ask yourself before you seethis movie: are you prepared to see Jim Carrey getting it on with EwanMacGregor? If so, you should definitely go.The movie tells the true story—and trust me, you'll have troublebelieving it's true—of Steven Russell, a gay man who just can't stopconning his way through life. He uses his extraordinary abilities togain a variety of jobs, gets indicted for embezzlement, and wins thelove of the titular Phillip Morris while the two are fellow inmates inprison."I Love You Phillip Morris" was written and directed by Glen Ficarraand John Requa, the same writing team responsible for "Bad Santa". Like"Bad Santa", this movie effectively balances humor and with some verydark themes, though I would say the overall tone is not nearly as bleakas that of the earlier movie.The writers told the Nashville audience that when choosing material toinclude from Steve McVicker's nonfiction book, they decided theyprimarily wanted to tell the love story. They do so very successfully.You might even call this the perfect romantic comedy for people whohate traditional romantic comedies: it's homo- rather thanhetero-oriented, it's non-fiction, and it features a somewhatoff-kilter con man as the romantic lead. Sounds bizarre, sure, and yetall these elements come together to make a really entertaining movie.For the most part Jim Carrey loses himself in the character of StevenRussell, delivering an effectively non-hammy (and non-Carrey) comicperformance. MacGregor's Phillip Morris is also believably innocent,Southern, and wide-eyed. Nice supporting performances, such as LeslieMann's as Russell's ex-wife Deb, round out the movie.Much of the romance takes place in prison, and this creates manybeautifully absurd scenes. The movie also has its fair share of sadmoments, and contains a pretty clear message about social justice inTexas -- as did the book-- but this is kept mercifully subtle,underlying rather than overshadowing the story.The directors said they hoped the movie would make spectators laugh,cry and think, and the Nashville audience seemed to do all three. Therewere a lot of laughs but some definite sniffles at the appropriatemoments. At the Q&A, there was a fair amount of interest in the realstory, and Ficarra, McVicker, and Requa were happy to oblige withfurther information.Come to think of it, you may not have to worry about seeing the twoleads have sex. Although the love scenes were kept technically PG, thedirectors were expecting a fight with the MPAA because of thehomosexual content. That's a real pity, but I hope they win.

Jeremy Davis

06 May 2012

Summary on box missed some key points

This was actually a pretty decent movie. I just would have liked tohave known that when my wife and I sat down with pizza and popcorn thatwe'd be watching two dudes making out.The box showed a pretty happy looking Jim Carrey, and you can't gowrong with Ewan McGregor. Going in, everything was moving along swellwhen *bam!* full on guy-on-guy action. Not what I was expecting. Unlessyou've got a phobia when it comes to same sex love-making, the moviehad it's laughs and was worth the hour and a half we spent watchingit...uncomfortably.Maybe I should have done my research a little better, but I thoughtthis had something to do with smoking.