Jim Carrey plays Russell here with a sleazy swagger that makes you both cringe and marvel at him. This is my favorite roll Carrey has ever played, actually. I hated his over the top Ace Ventura/Mask stuff almost as much as I hated the wholesome "everyman" he evolved into in films like "Liar, Liar" and "Bruce Almighty". Here Carrey is a cocky snake in Bermuda shorts and Hawaiian shirts. A sweaty lawyer in a cheap suit. Carrey changes many times throughout this film and yet the character he creates is a bold and interesting one. A man that you can not take your eyes off of no matter how off-putting he becomes at times.
Carrey's Stephen Russell starts out as a small-town golden boy. Living a married life and singing in the church choir. After a freak accident Stephen seems to "wake up" and realize he was never meant to be the man he has become, so he becomes someone else. Fast forward to Florida where Stephen is living as an wealthy and obviously out gay man with two dogs, a handsome boyfriend, and a pile of bills he has no way to pay. Small cons to pay for watches and cars soon mount up and before he can jump off the roof of a hospital and escape, Stephen finds himself locked up for his mischievous ways.
It turns out prison is the best thing to ever happen to Stephen. Here he learns about the law in the library, learns the ropes of being a model prisoner, and has almost free reign over the halls and cells of his new home. You almost get the feeling Stephen is glad he is locked up. Until Phillip Morris (Ewen McGregor) enters his life.
It is love at first sight for Phillip, who realizes the handsome stranger is vulnerable and naive. A man in over his head and in need of a friend. Soon he is courting the bleach-blonde Phillip Morris in a way that is both sweet and repulsive. Having other prisoners beaten up for disturbing Phillip or hiding chocolate in his toilet paper roll. The two end up as cell-mates and lovers almost overnight.
Phillip usually doesn't know whether to slap Russell or kiss him actually. Once again, maybe both? For as devious and weaselly as Stephen is there is also a sweetness in his tunnel-vision. An idea that the ends justify the means and as long as he can have his Phillip. It doesn't matter what kind of batshit crazy stunt he has to pull. How many people he has to deceive.
"I Love You Phillip Morris" is a post-gay "gay film" in my opinion. A gay love story where it would be just as insane if Morris were a woman. This kind of warts and all film about gay men is refreshing. Carrey's Russell is at times a closet case and at others a somewhat predictable southern drama queen. I know this film will have detractors who say it is full of stereotypes, but I don't find them to be done for shock value or for laughs. They feel real and ring true to this amazing story. If any of it is true.
Maybe it is all just one big con? A film designed by Morris to win back the man he has stalked/loved for two decades. While I don't quite LOVE Phillip Morris I would recommend it to anyone, gay or straight, who likes a twisting story with amusing characters and a sweet undertone.
3 out of 4 stars
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