I love you Phillip Morris
Haha, so Gorp loves the film (this is why I watched it) and Shii didn’t like it (his comments on it prompted me to finally watch it it). Almost expectedly, I share neither and both of their sentiments.
It all probably comes down to how I think the film is not as dumb as its exaggerated pathos might seem, but the pathos of the film didn’t quite hit me as hard. Some films, like “Brokeback Mountain”, are pathos-laden and had a firm on grip emotionally. When pathos fails to do that, it is most often because it is used in a completely dumb setting like cheesy TV dramas. I love you Phillip Morris is one of those rare cases where a film is actually great, but whose character’s suffering largely left me untouched.
From every other standpoint, I love you Phillip Morris was totally up my alley. Ever since my love for Catch me if you can and my current addiction for White Collar, it is probably obvious that I love con man stories. This film is a delightful one, with much less redemption than the others but a little more comedy. I really liked how Russell’s escape attempts are portrayed as lovable failures, even though in real life he probably had some mad con man skills. More than anything, I liked his relationships. I loved how driven he was by his crazy love for this other guy and the way he is only able to show that love through drastic measures. I might not have been touched to tears, but I thought this aspect of the film was very well-written. I even liked Morris’s character, who is perhaps the most naive and oblivious titular character ever, but oh God, I have never seen Ewan McGregor this cute? Yep, Jim Carrey and Ewan McGregor have some great chemistry here, it’s almost a cliché. Another aspect I liked about the film was Russell’s gayness was introduced so naturally, and with so many funny scenes. It’s not like he started a new life because he was gay, but being gay was only one aspect of the overall confusion about his identity. Unlike some other films (V for Vendetta, ugh, where you slip on the cheese), I actually think that gays are portrayed in a positive, lovable way in this film.
I am slowly beginning to understand why Jim Carrey is much better at serious roles than funny roles. Certainly Russell is portrayed in a funny way here, and Jim Carrey’s exaggerated facial expressions work well for me, but I perceive the undertone of this film as a tragedy after all. Apparently the real-life Phillip Morris totally distrusts Russell nowadays and believes that he has just been used and betrayed. That also is kind of tragic, because the truth is so blurry here. Can you really say it was love? Can you really say it was NOT love?
By the way, I am amused that just like in Knocked Up, Leslie Mann plays this incredibly stupid annoying married lady named Debbie. Debbie is such an un-name now. XD And Leslie Mann is so awesome. (“Does this gay thing and this stealing thing go hand in hand?” Ahahaha.)
I think Pixelmatsch needs to watch this movie too.
oh, he SO needs to see this. i love this. it’s strange and it works? jim carrey’s posture and his hair LMAO and his angular face! put into this character! there really isn’t another gay film like this around. and any gay film besides the usual shit is always welcome in my book.
It’s a strange movie for sure! If I didn’t know what it was all about, I would probably go O.O throughout most of it. His hair! LOL
I don’t mind it when a film is kind of cliché (I thought Weekend was and I thought it was very touching? XD) but in this case the uniqueness of the film definitely speaks for it.
I will humbly comply and watch it tomorrow!