If gratuitous sex meant romance and if strange truths meant comedy, then I Love You Phillip Morris would be one of this year’s top romantic comedies. Instead, it’s an unpredictable romp filled with sexual encounters (some straight, some gay, some random, some romantic) and a truth-is-stranger-than-fiction premise including four prison breaks that only elicits a few chuckles. It’s still a fascinating depiction; it’s just not that funny or romantic.
The Incredible True Story of Steven Russell
Based on the nonfiction book of the same name by journalist Steven McVicker, the film looks at the incredible (in the truest meaning of the word) story of Steven Russell (Jim Carrey), a married father, police officer, and church organist. After suffering a serious car accident, Russell realizes he’s always been gay and wants to live a new life without deception, so he starts a new life in Miami, leaving his wife (Leslie Mann) and kids, job, and hobby behind.
Once Russell finds a handsome lover (Rodrigo Santoro) to accommodate his new lifestyle, he learns that the gay life (stylish clothes, good food, beautiful homes) requires more money than he can make. Having lived a lie for so many years, Russell again resorts to deception, escalating cons of various kinds to get more and more money to support his lavish tastes. Although the story is based on a nonfiction book and the filmmakers assure us (in the credits) that it really happened, Carrey’s depiction – while thoroughly entertaining – feels more cartoonish than flesh and blood.
