“I don’t want to live in a lie any more.” Said Steven Russell “but living a life I want is expensive.”
From a car accident Russell realized that life is short so he abandons his wife and daughter and starts living the way that he really wants – a glamorous homosexual life. In order to live a luxurious life he becomes conman. Not long he is caught and go to jail and meet the love of his life – Phillip Morris.
There is a 360 change in Russell’s life, buying nice cars, pedicure, on vacation, rich… somehow the movie does emphasis all those things Russell is living are a fraud, he has to lie to get into his way. Lies build one after another, one bigger than the other, even when he meets the love of his life. It makes you wonder is it really possible to do this? It is just too easy. However, the movie claimed it was based on a true story. If those events really happened in real life, I just couldn’t believe how stupid and careless people were.
There are a lot stereo-typing going on, people always misunderstand the life of a homosexual, which in this case Steven Russell (Jim Carrey) imitates most of them. I remember there is a scene where Russell’s wife asks the doctor whether stealing is part of being gay is a sort of a disorder. What? This totally proved how ignorant and homophobic the Americans are. One more thing homosexuals are not ALL living in a luxurious life like Russell does in the movie, not everyone can afford a life like that I have to say.
Love can always be the motivation of life. Like Russell, once he has met Phillip, he has tried everything to be with him. After his imprisonment, he quickly plays his tricks, poses as a lawyer and gets him out of prison. In order to have a life with Phillip, he has to find a job to support him and his love. But yet again, he managed to fake voices, forge documents to get a lucrative financial job and live in a privileged life-style. And later prison breaking to get to Phillip’s side again. Nevertheless he has just used the wrong way to approach the whole situation.
Living as a fraudster is like a ticking time bomb, the time in heaven won’t last forever. One day when you can’t cover your lies anymore and the truth reveals. You will find yourself left alone, not being trusted. If you can even fake your identity, people will judge how much they really know you. When you try to use lies to keep your loved ones close, the result will be pushing them much farther away. When you see Phillip slaps Russell you just don’t really know what to think. One hand, you will admire how Russell does all those tricks to get near Phillip but on the other side, those are yet again, LIES. He definitely loves him but could you stand sleeping next to a guy when you don’t know when he is telling the truth?
Despite all those unconvincing arts, “I love you Phillip Morris” is a relaxing movie to watch. Enjoying how ridiculously Jim Carrey plays his part, and how Ewan McGregor reacts to Carrey’s actions. This is a comedy not a romance story but still sweet.
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