CRITICS SWOON OVER GAY PRISON ROMANCE

A new film, starring Jim Carrey and Ewan McGregor as gay lovers, is making an impact at the Sundance Film Festival.

I Love You, Phillip Morris, which is based on a true story, sees the Hollywood stars as prison inmates who fall in love.

Jim Carrey plays con artist and impostor Steven Jay Russell. While in prison, Russell fell in love with his cell mate, Phillip Morris (Ewan McGregor). After Morris was released, Russell escaped from prison four times in order to be reunited with him.

The film, directed by writer/director team Glenn Ficarra and John Requa, had its premiere at the prestigious Sundance Film Festival; the first opportunity for critics to see the unusual film that is reportedly a combination of prison film, gay romance and comedy.

The reception has thus far been largely positive.

“…Carrey’s chameleonlike gyrations and falsifications as a flimflammer are deliciously funny. His comedic versatility and impersonations are amazing, but it’s in his character’s darkest recesses that he’s truly powerful. As the steadfast Phillip, McGregor is sympathetic and vulnerable. His heart is always ready to be broken,” said The Hollywood Reporter.

Toronto’s Star commented: “As the big-buzz item at a fest that’s proving to be loaded with goodies, this dramedy of scofflaw gay lovers, played by Jim Carrey and Ewan McGregor, is a major roll of the dice. It’s a hard movie to classify, and you sometimes don’t know whether to laugh or gasp. The easiest thing is just to call it a love story.”

Variety notes however that the film could receive a negative reaction among mainstream audiences because of its explicitness:

“…given all the references to oral sex, the clingy physicality of Steven and Phillip and the one spectacular, ride-’em-cowboy sex scene involving Carrey, Phillip Morris will give some fans of Ace Ventura heart attacks.”

I Love You, Phillip Morris is not yet scheduled for release in South Africa.