 | ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids. |
 | OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | NOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age. |
I Love You Phillip Morris
- Review Date: December 1, 2010
- R
- Genre: Comedy
- 2010
Common Sense Media says
Wacky but mature comedy examines a love with no limits.
Parents say
Kids say
QUALITY
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that this based-on-a-true-story black comedy centers on a man (played by Jim Carrey) who leaves his family and becomes an unapologetic con man to support a self-indulgent life of shopping, partying, and sex. He eventually lands in prison, where he falls madly in love with a fellow male inmate. While there’s little nudity (some glimpses of male backsides), there are several highly suggestive sex scenes -- both gay and straight -- and lots of explicit language, including "f--k," "s--t," and some homophobic slurs. The main character's devotion to his object of affection is clear, but the often criminal lengths he goes to for love hardly qualify him for role model of the year.
What's the story?
In this comedy inspired by real-life events, Steven Russell (Jim Carrey) is a not-so-happily married gay cop who decides it’s time to be true to himself after a car crash. His exit from the closet isn't exactly subtle: He leaves his wife and kids, takes up with a hot Miami guy, and goes on a spending spree fueled by purloined money. Eventually he lands in jail, where he falls madly in love with the titular Phillip Morris (Ewan McGregor), a gentle soul of an inmate, for whom Steven will do anything. When they’re separated from each other and put in different prisons, Steven begins a seemingly endless loop of bailing the pair out of jails under false pretenses, conning an entire company to fund their lifestyle, landing in the slammer once more, and skipping out again. Love knows no bounds -- literally.
Is it any good?
I LOVE YOU PHILLIP MORRIS should be re-titled What I Did for Love. Because that’s exactly what it’s about. Loopy, frenetic, sometimes annoying, but impressively inventive, the movie showcases Carrey at his zany best (minus the excessive facial tics). Here he’s loose and kinetic, springing between plot points like a man with nothing to lose and all to gain, which is apropos considering the material. You can’t take your eyes off him, even with the charming -- though underdeveloped, character-wise -- McGregor by his side.
Nevertheless, it would be better if the story wasn't quite so slack and untethered; with a tighter script and more delineated arc, I Love You Phillip Morris would be so much easier to love. As it is, it’s an entertaining, albeit aimless, diversion.
What families can talk about
Families can talk about the fact that the movie is based on a true story. Do you think it's all accurate? Why do you think filmmakers might decide to change certain parts of fact-based stories?
Do you think Steven Russell’s actions, including stealing and deception, demonstrate real love? Parents, talk to your teens about your own family's values regarding sex and relationships.
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AGE
I only managed to get 1/2 way thru this piece before shutting it off THe sex scenes are way to graphic, and they don't need them for the story.
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AGE
Don't hesitate to learn something about your kids.
I think that even though I haven't seen the movie, that the parents should make the final descision. Also, I have a slight bone to pick with the people who think that their 14 or 15 year old kid should be encouraged that this is wrong, therefore they should not model their own relationships after it. I don't speak for teens, but I can say for sure that teenagers will be so enchanted with this movie, they will immeadiatly want to model their lives after it. As I said, it is the final decision of the independent parents on whether they want to miss a fun dramedy that is one of the few movies that does not portray gay people as a one-liner-cameo or a joke to laugh at.
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AGE
Funny, but racy
Pretty funny, based on a true story, but it's for mature audiences only. This is basically Catch Me If You Can but about a gay con man. I think it's strange that people have a problem with the fact that he's gay or the sex scenes, which mostly aren't bad at all, but don't seem to have a problem that he is also a liar and a compulsive thief.
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| Studio: | Roadside Attractions |
| Directors: | Glenn Ficarra, John Requa |
| Cast: | Ewan McGregor, Jim Carrey, Leslie Mann |
| Genre: | Comedy |
| Run time: | 98 minutes |
| Theatrical release date: | December 3, 2010 |
| DVD release date: | April 5, 2011 |
| MPAA rating: | R |
| MPAA explanation: | sexual content including strong dialogue, and language |
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