I Love You Phillip Morris

Glenn Ficarra and John Requa

The story: Steven Russell (Jim Carrey) is an ex-cop who turns conman to support his flamboyant gay lifestyle. Busted, he is thrown into the slammer where he meets the love of his life, Phillip Morris (Ewan McGregor). They build a life together post- imprisonment, but Steven gets up to his old tricks once more. This is based on a true story and crime reporter Steve McVicker’s book of the same name is subtitled A True Story Of Life, Love & Prison Breaks.

The gay drama, Brokeback Mountain (2005), was about a furtive love affair that dared not speak its name. Even from the title of this movie, it is clear that there is no such restraint here.

There is a series of jokes about sexual acts in prison and the sexual aspect of the relationship between Steven and Phillip is not coyly omitted.

The raunchy humour is nothing less than what one would expect from co-directors and co-writers Glenn Ficarra and John Requa. The two were responsible for writing the scabrously funny Bad Santa (2003), which stars Billy Bob Thornton as an “eating, drinking, shitting, f***ing” department store Santa.

This is probably the film on their resume, rather than, say, Cats & Dogs (2001), which attracted A-listers Jim Carrey and Ewan McGregor to star in their directorial debut.

The rubber-faced Carrey is best known for his over-the-top manic energy in hit films such as Yes Man (2008) and Liar Liar (1997). But he has also proven himself to be a fine actor in more serious fare such as Eternal Sunshine Of The Spotless Mind (2004).

His easy affability is put to good use here and you end up rooting for him even though he is the crook. It is loads of fun watching him adopt different identities to pull off his hustling and jail-breaking escapades.

Exuding brazen confidence as a serial con artist, he reminds one of the light and sprightly feel of Catch Me If You Can (2002), in which Leonardo DiCaprio plays a conman on the run.

I Love You Phillip Morris, though, has a decidedly more quirky and off-kilter vibe. There is that bright and cheery musical theme associated with Steven and throwaway jokes are snuck onto billboards and signs.

For all the monkeying around, there is a positive and embracing message in there that happiness is something that everybody deserves.

McGregor’s gentle and vulnerable Phillip, complete with an adorable Southern accent, is a good foil to Carrey’s incorrigible Steven and their relationship gives the film its sweet emotional centre.

And while the title might be in- your-face, it also tells you where the heart of the film is.

(ST)