I Love You Phillip Morris (2009)

Featured Audience Ratings

• Brad W

  
  I Love You Phillip Morris may not be the perfect comedy but it sure was a good return for the funny side of Jim Carrey and it was enjoyable enough.

• Ken S

  
  Incredibly hilarious and it doesn't pull a single punch. Hands down my favorite 2nd favorite "gay" film, after A Single Man.

• Michael M

  
  I love you phillip morris is brilliantly written and directed, the performances by Carrey and McGregor are truly amazing in particular Ewan McGregor playing Phillip, Steven's love interest. These two were the last people i'd expect to play a gay couple, after witnessing… More
  I love you phillip morris is brilliantly written and directed, the performances by Carrey and McGregor are truly amazing in particular Ewan McGregor playing Phillip, Steven's love interest. These two were the last people i'd expect to play a gay couple, after witnessing Carrey's "Me, Myself and Irene" and McGregor's "The Island"

• Matthew S

  
  I love you Jim Carrey. If his character could have made this movie, there wouldn't be a difference. Its flamboyant, care-free direction took the kind of balls that Steven Jay Russell must have had to do all these things he did.

• ♥˩ƳИИ &

  
  Cast: Jim Carrey, Ewan McGregor, Leslie Mann, Rodrigo Santoro, Antoni Corone, Brennan Brown, Michael Mandel, Annie Golden Director: Glenn Ficarra, John Requa Summary: When upstanding Texas cop Steven Russell (Jim Carrey) realizes he's gay, he changes his entire life and… More
  Cast: Jim Carrey, Ewan McGregor, Leslie Mann, Rodrigo Santoro, Antoni Corone, Brennan Brown, Michael Mandel, Annie Golden Director: Glenn Ficarra, John Requa Summary: When upstanding Texas cop Steven Russell (Jim Carrey) realizes he's gay, he changes his entire life and pulls a series of bold con jobs that lands him in jail -- where he meets his one true love, cellmate Phillip Morris (Ewan McGregor). When Morris is transferred to another prison, lovesick Russell mounts a series of jailbreaks just to be with his beloved soul mate. Based on a true story. My Thoughts: "I thought it would be hard for me believing McGregor and Carrey in their roles. But I'm not surprised at what a great job they did in this film. They had great chemistry together. I really enjoyed the movie and thought it was very funny. Steven Russell is an eccentric person in every shape and form. He cons and lies his way through life. He does crazy things for love which would be hard to think that someone would actually do these things, but in the opening credits it says the movie is based on a true story. So to think someone went this above and beyond for love is kind of sweet in a twisted way. Phillip Morris is very sweet and vulnerable. He is a romantic at heart and just an honest person who is the complete opposite of Russell. Jim Carrey has done serious and funny films, but this is the first film I've seen him do both. He does an amazing job playing Steven Russell. He proved in this film that he has the talent to play such complex character's. I absolutely loved Ewan McGregor in the movie. He was just so good playing Phillip Morris. I definitely recommend those of you who haven't seen it or those who aren't interested to give it a shot. It may surprise you."

• Chris W

  
  This film is based on the unbelievable true story of Steven Russell, a secretly gay family man who went from being a cop to an unrepentant con man and compulsive liar. He escaped from prison roughly four times, committed all kinds of financial crimes, and eventually received one of… More
  This film is based on the unbelievable true story of Steven Russell, a secretly gay family man who went from being a cop to an unrepentant con man and compulsive liar. He escaped from prison roughly four times, committed all kinds of financial crimes, and eventually received one of the most unprecedented sentences ever given. It is such a weird and out there story that it must be fiction, but it's not. The film is funny, but it's predominately a dramedy, and the humor is of the darkly satirical variety. The film is somewhat flawed, but I still liked it and think it's worth a watch. The main issue is probably the lack of experience from the co-directors. They are making their directorial debut with this one, but they are familiar with this type of territory, having wrote Bad Santa. Even though the film is all over the place, the tone is pretty consistent, and the film is pretty sincere. Yes, there is a gay romance, but it is handled in a satisfactory way that isn't mocking or heavy handed. The real strength of this movie lies in the performances. Jim Carrey is absolutely brilliant, and he's the perfect fit for the role of the zany delusional Russell. As his lover Phillip Morris, Ewan McGregor is also quite excellent, giving off tons of charm as the naive but loveable man swept up in Russell's schemes. This is a bizarre, offbeat film, but there's something about it that makes it hard not to watch. We never quite know what Russell will do next, or if he will ever truly figure out who he really is, but he's such a screwy yet captivating character that we stick with him, even though it seems likely he's just going to end up breaking hearts and bank accounts over and over again.

• Dan S

  
  A self-satisfied movie about no one particularly likable, concerning a con-man (Jim Carrey) who has an epiphany that he has been leading a phony life and that he is indeed gay, and while in jail serving time for one of his many gigs gone wrong, meets a sweet man (Ewan McGregor) who… More
  A self-satisfied movie about no one particularly likable, concerning a con-man (Jim Carrey) who has an epiphany that he has been leading a phony life and that he is indeed gay, and while in jail serving time for one of his many gigs gone wrong, meets a sweet man (Ewan McGregor) who changes his life. While it occasionally shows flashes of promise and spurts of humor, this thing becomes the same joke after a while, that being "Well....how is he going to get out of prison this time?!!!" It becomes tired and repetitive, and Carrey's uber-eccentric performance is a big reason as to this. McGregor turns in a nice performance as the title character, but Carrey's consistent looking like his eyes are going to pop out of his skull is what gets irritating after a while. The only reason this movie skates by with a half-decent rating is that it is short and not to demanding, but even so, it is still not worth sitting through.

• Gregory D

  
  This film is more typical of Jim Carrey's new career, favoring the dramatic over the silly. The film was interesting, however it is about a romance between two men, so if that bugs you then don't bother watching.

• Coxxie M

  
  "a smile is a flower on your face."

• Thomas J

  
  Horrible, horrible, horrible! The accents grated me worse than masturbating with a cheese grater! Jim Carrey only has 2 styles of acting 1. sucks 2. sucks even more and this is ALL #2 - literally #2!!

• Kase V

  
  It may be alienating at some points, but 'I Love You, Phillip Morris' is a largely rewarding film for those willing to give it a shot. Beautifully shot, written, and acted, the film gives off a lighthearted tone, even though its implications are much more dramatic. Carrey… More
  It may be alienating at some points, but 'I Love You, Phillip Morris' is a largely rewarding film for those willing to give it a shot. Beautifully shot, written, and acted, the film gives off a lighthearted tone, even though its implications are much more dramatic. Carrey and McGregor show off kinetic talent in their performances, both doing equally well with the comedic and dramatic aspects of the film. A little over-the-top, a little alienating, comic, dramatic, and film lovers in general may find that 'I Love You, Phillip Morris' has a lot to offer.

• Tim S

  
  Better than I thought it would be. Powered through by a great performance by Jim Carrey, the film does have some plot holes that make it a bumpy ride all the same. Supposedly based upon a true story, the filmmaking rides the edge of being a dark comedy with touches of well played out… More
  Better than I thought it would be. Powered through by a great performance by Jim Carrey, the film does have some plot holes that make it a bumpy ride all the same. Supposedly based upon a true story, the filmmaking rides the edge of being a dark comedy with touches of well played out human drama with some very head scratch inducing moments of blatant disregard for rational storytelling. Almost as if it would have been better off simply telling the story instead of bashing the viewer over the head with it's obvious political overtones.

• Emily A

  
  What a damn confusing title for a romantic comedy: I thought it was going to be some sort of ironic love letter to the tobacco manufacturer. This movie really stayed with me. I was really impressed by the performances, as well as the very premise of this. I wish it hadn't gotten… More
  What a damn confusing title for a romantic comedy: I thought it was going to be some sort of ironic love letter to the tobacco manufacturer. This movie really stayed with me. I was really impressed by the performances, as well as the very premise of this. I wish it hadn't gotten stuck in distribution hell for so long. What, it can't be a Blockbuster comedy just because its protagonist sucks dick? Jim Carrey stars as a gay man with expensive tastes, a dazzling aptitude for white-collar crime and no sense of responsibility. He seems oblivious to the fact that his various wheelings and dealings are hurting the one he loves most, a sweet sugar baby played by Ewan McGregor. Steve, being gay is not expensive. Being gay the way you think people are supposed to be gay is expensive. And you're an idiot to think you need the flamboyant lifestyle to be happy if you've got Phillip. Anyway, this movie has a bunch of different stories going on, but it balances all the stories perfectly. The romance really resonates, the capers and jailbreaks are thrilling and the comedic moments are genuinely hilarious. I think the critics are absolutely right to call this one of the best performances of Jim Carrey's career.

• Cynthia S

  
  Rather touching, and twisted...yet very interesting story based on the exploits of a real life con man. This is a movie that could have been very serious, but with Jim Carrey's flair it is anything but that. Great actors. Great story. I had to avert my eyes a couple of times, but… More
  Rather touching, and twisted...yet very interesting story based on the exploits of a real life con man. This is a movie that could have been very serious, but with Jim Carrey's flair it is anything but that. Great actors. Great story. I had to avert my eyes a couple of times, but that's ok...lol. Quirky, and fun to watch.

• Randy T

  
  An unflattering true-life romp through the Texas Department of Corrections. Carrey and McGregor are 'fabulous'!

• First L

  
  Ads for this film might mislead one into thinking it's a comedy about a straight man (Jim Carrey) who realizes he's gay while serving time in prison. Actually, it's the life story of Steven Russell, one of the great conmen of our time. After a near fatal car accident,… More
  Ads for this film might mislead one into thinking it's a comedy about a straight man (Jim Carrey) who realizes he's gay while serving time in prison. Actually, it's the life story of Steven Russell, one of the great conmen of our time. After a near fatal car accident, former police officer Russell decides to live his life out of the closet and for himself. He leaves his wife and child, and moves to Florida where he finds the gay lifestyle to be "expensive". In order to pay for this lifestyle, he began a life of fraud that eventually landed him in prison, which is where he meets the Phillip Morris from the title. One of the remarkable things about Steven Russell is the lengths he goes through to escape prison, something he did numerous times. In fact, for most of the film, Russell is either in prison or breaking out of it. There is a love story here too, as Phillip Morris (Ewan McGregor) is, I guess, the prison version of a delicate southern flower, in need of a man's protection. The turbulent romance between Morris and Russell takes center stage, and it's here the film shines. However, while it is a serious film of an amazing true story, there's a certain air of unreality about it. The gay stuff is often times played up for laughs or shock value, when in reality it seems like the least remarkable thing about Russell's life. "I Love You Phillip Morris" tries to be too many things at once, and while it's certainly entertaining, it might've benefited from a little toning down.

• Steven C

  
  While Jim Carrey and Ewen McGregor turn in some terrific performance, I found "I Love You, Phillip Morris" to be exceedingly scattered. I had no idea what they were trying to say with this film. It's based on a true story, a very sad and disturbing true story when you… More
  While Jim Carrey and Ewen McGregor turn in some terrific performance, I found "I Love You, Phillip Morris" to be exceedingly scattered. I had no idea what they were trying to say with this film. It's based on a true story, a very sad and disturbing true story when you think about it, that they craft into a sort of romantic comedy. Normally I love harsh juxtapositions in films but the tone of the events and the way they are ultimately told make no sense together. I wasn't sure what I was supposed to be feeling at any given moment. Should I be elated that they have found true love? Should I be laughing that he is as disturbed a man that he will fake his death from AIDS? This would be one thing if it was a fictional story, but it's not. These things happened, (the opening credits reinforce that statement for you, twice) and I just can't find it funny. One thing I really look for in a film is cohesion and "I Love You, Phillip Morris" has none of that. It may be an energetic film, and Carrey is doing some fine work, but I found it wildly alienating.

• Mark W

  
  Jim Carrey's goofy, rubber-faced, slap-stick material has been getting a bit stale recently. The best of his films have been when he has delivered a serious role; "Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind" and "The Truman Show" have been notable showcases for… More
  Jim Carrey's goofy, rubber-faced, slap-stick material has been getting a bit stale recently. The best of his films have been when he has delivered a serious role; "Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind" and "The Truman Show" have been notable showcases for this, but now he can also add this to his growing catalogue of fine comedic and dramatic achievments. Carrey plays a Steven Russell, a southerner who marries his churchgoing sweetheart (Leslie Mann), then finally reconciles with the reality that he's gay. In an effort to support a new, extravagant lifestyle he summons his latent gift for larceny and becomes a skilled con artist. Eventually this lands him in prison, where he falls in love with a fellow inmate named Phillip Morris (Ewan McGregor), and his real swindling takes over. Despite Carrey and McGregor being two of the most familiar faces in film today, they still manage to give entirely believable performances as a gay couple, in a surprisingly heartfelt love story. It's very brave and bold roles for them both. Carrey brings just enough humour and zaniness without overdoing it and McGregor adds a welcome naive and gentle innocence in their kinetic entanglement. It's these strong, committed performances that propel this wildly inventive, modern romance. Some may be put off by the homeosexual nature of the story but they needn't be. This is as valid and earnest as any heterosexual love affair and if anything, only serves to prove how much the actors have invested in it's telling. It's not too surprising that this was directed by Glenn Ficarra and John Faqua, the writers of the lewd Billy Bob Thornton film "Bad Santa", but what is astonishing is their ability to keep it all real and their impressive balance of the story. It has all the right ingredients; great characters, an interesting and exciting story, hysterically funny moments, scenes of powerful drama and two excellent lead performances. It never goes into exactly how some of Steven Russell's swindles are achieved but it's fun to watch all the same. His elaborate scams border on the implausible but for the fact, that this is based on true events, making it all the more impressive and enjoyable. A fine and fresh directorial debut for the "Bad Santa" boys, helped by two of the most enjoyable performances of the year. Next up for this directing team is "Crazy, Stupid, Love" with Steve Carell and Ryan Gosling. Here's hoping it's half as good as this.

• Jeff "

  
  Let me start this review by saying that I am not a homophoebe. I have nothing against gay people. In fact I read a lot of Chuck Palahniuk and Clive Barker both authors are gay, and Barker has made one of the best horror films in history, Hellraiser. Both are gay and I respect… More
  Let me start this review by saying that I am not a homophoebe. I have nothing against gay people. In fact I read a lot of Chuck Palahniuk and Clive Barker both authors are gay, and Barker has made one of the best horror films in history, Hellraiser. Both are gay and I respect Palahniuk and Barker. Also the lead singer of one of my favorite bands is gay, Rob Halford Of Judas Priest. Now that I've defended my stance on the issue, lets move on to the film. I love you Phillip Morris is a film that is simply put a piece of trash. The film is crude, vulgar obscene and offensive. I thought the film was unsparing in showing every stereotype of gay men. The film was paInful to watch. To me the problem isn't with the gay content, its how its presented. I know a lot of people who are gay and they do not act like they do in this film. Sure most gay guys I met were flamboyant, but none of them were like the gay people portrayed in this film. This film is an insult to the gay community. I've read some reviews from people that happen to be gay, and they said that this film could evoke what people think of gay people and get the wrong idea. From the content of this film it's no surprise that some will definitely get the wrong idea about what gay men do, how they're big spenders, constantly live the high life and so on. An insulting film thats pretty boring as well. I Love You Phillip Morris is a film than intensifies all the bad gay stereotypes, and because of this film a lot of people will get the wrong idea about gay people. Terrible film thats very insulting. I didn't like it. I'd recommend the film Milk because that film shows the struggle for gay people to be accepted, this film shows how gay men are "supposed" to be, an insulting film that has no redeemable qualities. The film doesn't deserve the praise, and Carrey is finished.

• Everett J

  
  For some reason I had 3 or 4 people recommend this to me. I don't really know why people would think I would enjoy a comedy about gay guys who are in and out of prison. Well, they were right! It's hilarious! Probably the funniest Jim Carrey movie in a long time, and Ewan… More
  For some reason I had 3 or 4 people recommend this to me. I don't really know why people would think I would enjoy a comedy about gay guys who are in and out of prison. Well, they were right! It's hilarious! Probably the funniest Jim Carrey movie in a long time, and Ewan McGregor is great as well. There are quite a few parts that are over the top, but to my surprise Carrey keeps them grounded. He's way over the top in most his movies, but here he holds it back just enough to be believable. This movie is definitely not for everyone. If you hate Carrey or gays, then stay away. But if you watch with an open mind and want to laugh at some outrageous ridiculous comedy. then you should check it out!

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