I Love You Phillip Morris Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A man realizes he’s gay, becomes a super-con, and then uses his powers for good (aka breaking out of jail to be with his boyfriend).

🍿 I Love You Phillip Morris: Detailed Plot Synopsis

A Life of Lies and a Reassessment

Steven Russell, living a seemingly normal life as a police officer and family man, harbors a secret: he’s gay. After a near-fatal car accident, Steven reevaluates his life and decides to embrace his true identity, coming out of the closet and leaving his previous life behind.

Living the Gay Lifestyle and Turning to Crime

Embracing his new life, Steven discovers that maintaining a lavish gay lifestyle is expensive. He turns to con artistry to fund his desires, leading to a series of increasingly elaborate schemes. These cons eventually land him in prison, where his life takes an unexpected turn.

Love Behind Bars

In prison, Steven meets Phillip Morris, a sensitive and kind-hearted inmate. The two men fall in love, and Steven becomes obsessed with freeing Phillip from prison and building a life together. This sets off a series of daring cons and escapes, showcasing Steven’s resourcefulness and determination.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Steven Russell (Jim Carrey): A con artist and escape artist who goes to extreme lengths, often illegal, to be with the man he loves.
• Phillip Morris (Ewan McGregor): The soft-spoken and sensitive love interest of Steven, who is often caught in the web of Steven’s cons.
• Debbie (Leslie Mann): Steven’s ex-wife and mother of his child, who is initially accepting of his newfound identity.
• Jimmy (Rodrigo Santoro): Steven’s boyfriend, who is quickly dropped for Phillip Morris.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Steven Russell: “I wanna be a faggot!” – Exclaimed by Steven on a stretcher after a car accident, marking his decision to live openly as a gay man.
• Steven Russell: “Being gay is really expensive.” – Said by Steven, explaining his motivation for turning to con artistry to support his lavish lifestyle.
• Steven Russell: “My whole life was nothing but a bunch of lies… lies to make people love me, lies to keep them from leavin’ me, and in the process I lost track of who I was…” – Reflects Steven’s realization of his identity crisis, as his relationships are based on deception.
• Phillip Morris: “Enough romance. Let’s fuck!” – When Philip gets impatient, he cuts straight to the point.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $13,000,000
• Domestic Gross: $2,037,459
• Worldwide Gross: $20,768,906

💥 I Love You Phillip Morris Reviews

Personal Review

I was completely blown away by “I Love You Phillip Morris”! It’s unlike anything I’ve ever seen, a bizarre blend of comedy, romance, and true crime. Jim Carrey gives such a raw and vulnerable performance, it’s hard to believe it’s the same guy from “Ace Ventura”. The scene where Phillip finally confronts Steven about all his lies was heart-wrenching, but then the ending had me laughing hysterically. I left the theater feeling all kinds of things, and that’s the mark of a great movie.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of Jim Carrey’s dramatic roles”
  • “Viewers interested in LGBTQ+ themed stories”
  • “People who enjoy quirky and unconventional comedies”
  • “Those fascinated by con artist stories”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Sexual content”
  • “Some drug use”
  • “Strong language”
  • “Mature themes”

Professional Reviews

• Variety: “”I Love You Phillip Morris” is a surprisingly touching and funny film, carried by strong performances from Carrey and McGregor. Despite the potentially controversial subject matter, the film manages to find genuine heart and humor in its unusual love story.
• The Hollywood Reporter: “Jim Carrey delivers one of his best performances in years, balancing comedy and drama with impressive skill. Ewan McGregor provides a charming counterpoint. The film is a quirky and unconventional love story that will resonate with open-minded viewers.
• Entertainment Weekly: “Carrey’s manic energy is perfectly suited to the role of Steven Russell, a man who lives life on his own terms. The film’s blend of comedy and romance is often jarring, but the genuine chemistry between Carrey and McGregor makes it work.

Audience Reactions

The humor is dark and unexpected, making the film incredibly unique and memorable.: Viewers consistently praise the unusual blend of comedy and drama, calling it a ‘rollercoaster of emotions’.

Jim Carrey’s performance is a revelation, showcasing his range and depth as an actor.: The performances of both Jim Carrey and Ewan McGregor are repeatedly lauded as exceptional and believable.

Overall Consensus: “I Love You Phillip Morris” is a divisive film that earns praise for its originality and strong performances, but also draws criticism for its potentially offensive humor and tonal shifts.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “The film is based on the non-fiction book “I Love You Phillip Morris: A True Story of Life, Love, and Prison Breaks” by Steve McVicker.”
• “The directors, Glenn Ficarra and John Requa, also wrote “Bad Santa,” showcasing their ability to blend dark humor with touching themes.”
• “The film faced distribution challenges in the U.S. due to its homosexual content, despite positive reviews and strong performances.”
• “The real Phillip Morris makes a cameo appearance as Steven’s lawyer in the final courtroom scene, adding a layer of authenticity.”

🖥️ How to Watch I Love You Phillip Morris?

I Love You Phillip Morris is available for rent or purchase on various platforms, including Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, and YouTube. Check your local listings for availability on streaming services or cable providers. Physical copies on DVD and Blu-ray may also be available through online retailers like Amazon.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed I Love You Phillip Morris, you might like these similar films:

• Catch Me If You Can (2002): Both films center on charismatic con artists who use their skills to live extravagant lives and evade the law.
• Brokeback Mountain (2005): Explores a complex and emotional same-sex love story, although with a more tragic and understated tone compared to the comedic elements in “I Love You Phillip Morris”.
• The Birdcage (1996): Features a flamboyant and comedic portrayal of gay characters and relationships, balancing humor with emotional depth.
• Prisoners (2013): Deals with themes of manipulation and obsession, highlighting extreme measures taken for love and freedom, albeit in a darker context.
• Bound (1996): A crime thriller involving a lesbian couple who scheme to steal money from the mob.

🛒 I Love You Phillip Morris Related Products

• I Love You Phillip Morris [Blu-ray]: Own the critically acclaimed film on Blu-ray and experience Jim Carrey and Ewan McGregor’s captivating performances in high definition. A must-have for collectors and fans of the film.
• Prison Escape Games: Test your wits and strategic skills in this interactive escape room game based on themes found in the film, challenging yourself to solve puzzles to escape. A thrilling experience for fans of “I Love You Phillip Morris”.
• Official “I Love You Phillip Morris” Movie Poster: A high-quality print of the film’s original poster. A great addition to any movie lover’s collection, showcasing the iconic imagery of Jim Carrey and Ewan McGregor.
• The Real Story of Steven Jay Russell: “I Love You Phillip Morris: A True Story of Love, Deception, and Final Judgment”: A biographical book of the original story that inspired the movie. For a more in-depth understanding of the original story that inspired the movie.

🎧 Soundtrack

I Love You Phillip Morris features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Hallelujah, We Shall Rise” – performed by The Yellowdog Prophet Choir
• “Crazy Little Thing Called Love” – performed by Queen

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

JIM CARREY BLOOPERS COMPILATION p.2 (Dumb and Dumber, Bruce Almighty In Living Color, Grinch, Sonic)

If you’re a fan of Jim Carrey’s unique brand of comedy, you’ll love this compilation of bloopers from ‘I Love You Phillip Morris’ and a range of his other films. It’s a hilarious look at the moments when things didn’t quite go according to plan.

✨ Rate