If Brokeback Mountain were set in prison and had an abundance of phallic humor, it would have been I Love You Phillip Morris.
People stood in line in the cold on Wednesday night to see the new romantic comedy I Love You Phillip Morris in Chem 140, presented by Program Council.
Based on a true story, I Love You Phillip Morris follows seemingly happily married-with-kids police officer Steven Russell (Jim Carrey), as he gets in a violent car crash while on the way to have an affair with another man. He then pronounces he is going to live the life he actually wants: as an openly gay man. He packs his bags, leaves his family and travels from Virginia Beach to a more flamboyant setting, in Miami Beach.
Overwhelmed by the expensive lifestyle of a gay man, Russell commits fraud after fraud, becoming an experienced conman before eventually getting caught. Its then at the Texas State Penitentiary that Russell meets soft-spoken and genuine Phillip Morris (Ewan McGregor). The two instantly fall in love. From there on out, Russell does everything in his power to stay by his lovers side, from pilfering a large sum of money from a business corporation to even slyly faking his own death by AIDS.
Audience members, such as Marcus Haverhals, a 22-year-old senior mathematics major, said he enjoyed the movie.
I like that its quirky, Haverhals said. Its definitely original.
I Love You Phillip Morris is potentially a breakthrough for movies from here on out. The previously unconventional man-and-man love story was not contrived but rather a breath of fresh air.
Shane Wyenn, a 23-year-old junior anthropology major, said she liked the performances.
I thought it was really good, Wyenn said. It was funny. Jim Carrey and Ewan McGregor are awesome [in it].
While the movie did have scenes perhaps not appropriate for the faint of heart, the comedy itself may not have been the epitome of the movies buzz. Rather, the plot and Carrey and McGregors stellar performances were what made the movie shine.
Brett Hicks, a 19-year-old freshman international affairs major, said he found the movie compelling.
Im not a Jim Carrey fan to be honest, but after seeing this movie I am because its a really tough role for a straight male to play, Hicks said. I give him props. Ewan McGregor did a good job as well. I would not be surprised if this movie won some sort of Oscar nomination or something because I think it really deserves it.
I Love You Phillip Morris is now playing in theaters.
Contact CU Independent Staff Writer Leah Knauer at Leah.knauer@colorado.edu.
