I Love You Phillip Morris

Seldom has a Jim Carrey movie been released to such little fanfare. An incredible actor, his varied performances have earned him the affections of Hollywood and the respect of critics. In short, he’s a bonafide A-lister. So it’s genuinely surprising to come across a movie headlined by Jim Carrey and Ewan McGregor (who’s a huge star in his own right) come with such restrained promotion and limited release. This is also one of those rare occasions where the UK gets the film months before our friends across the Atlantic. Makes you proud to be British!

The film itself is based on the (true) life-story of con-man Steven Jay Russell (Jim Carrey) who escapes from prison multiple times to be with his lover Phillip Morris (Ewan McGregor). Though there are several supporting characters in the story, the film very much belongs to these two incredible actors and the characters they play. The sight of a (very) gay Jim Carrey does initially take you back, but he’s so indoctrinated by his character that as a viewer, you can’t help but be sucked into his romance with the Phillip Morris. The script gives him the ability to use his genuine comedic talents in a very credible way, one that juxtaposes believably and effectively with his more emotional and melancholic scenes. His excellent performance is reminiscent of his similarly effective portrayal of Andy Kauffman in Man of the Moon more than a decade ago. His co-star, playing the title character, more than holds his own. Ewan McGregor is scarily convincing as the introversive, sensitive object of Steven Russell’s affections. Clearly revelling in the chance to share the screen with a naturally gifted actor, McGregor ups his game and puts in the performance of a lifetime.

What’s really striking is the incredible chemistry the pair have in their tender scenes. All of Carrey’s and McGregor’s unforgettable characters are instantly forgotten as the audience gets sucked into Steven Russell and Phillip Morris. The unconventional romance is captured in a way a boyband might put together a music video for a power ballad. The most bizarre situations are transformed into ‘awwww-inspiring moments’. I also have to mention that I was very impressed with the entire cast’s ability to put on a Texas (Southern American) accent.

The tone of the film is what one would normally associate with a dark romance. However, there are plenty of sensible jokes and natural comedy embedded into the script. Jim Carrey’s comic timing is perfectly complimented by the expressions of his co-stars – particularly in a scene between Carrey and Brennan Brown (The Orange Wednesday Guy). The director deserves praise for keeping the pace brisk but bearable. Where the writers and actors really win is that as an audience you really buy into the unconventional romance of the two main characters. Watching the movie, you can’t help but want the pair to end up together.

I Love You Phillip Morris is an excellent, if not neccesarily uplifting movie. And thouh it may not be to everyone’s tastes, Jim Carrey and Ewan McGregor take enormous strides as actors. The response of their core audiences will be interesting to see. Perhaps that’s why the studios thought it best to keep it on the down-low...