While it’s an actor or actress’ job to be the dynamic performer and mold themselves into the character they have to portray in their films, it’s never an easy feat to achieve. Therefore, stars like Jim Carrey are hailed as legends because of their uncanny yet exemplary talent to dynamically shift themselves into any mannerism they want for their roles.
Due to these natural talents that he possesses, the star has been part of some of the most iconic films in history with equally iconic characters to depict. But one of his lesser-known films was where he truly defied expectations and went against his friends’ advice to not play a gay man, something that he was not willing to do in order to challenge himself and do something that felt right to him.
Jim Carrey Portrayed A Gay Man In I Love You Phillip Morris Despite Warnings
From an overly eccentric yet smart supervillain to an absolute tool of a man and even god himself along with everything in between, prolific comedian and Hollywood legend Jim Carrey has constantly lifted the bar higher when it comes to the level at which people are able to perform in front of the camera, which has rightfully placed at the top with the best of the best. But in the past, when he saw an opportunity to truly push past his limits in the 2009 romance drama film I Love You Phillip Morris, he took it, despite people warning him not to do so.
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The aforementioned film would feature The Mask star as a homosexual man, something that wasn’t an orthodox topic to talk about during those times. And yet, the star was willing to take on the role since he felt it was one of those times when he truly felt the role calling to him. He also recalled the time when before he signed on this film, his friends and acquaintances were against his decision, trying to talk him out of it since it tackled a very sensitive topic at the time, but Carrey wasn’t going to let anything persuade him out of it. In a past interview, he said:
“I don’t care about the reaction if it’s a negative reaction. I care about amazing people, and it’s incredible what occurred; it’s a true story, and it’s love. There were people in my circle who were concerned about it yeah, saying ‘I don’t know man – there’s some pretty edgy stuff in there’, but you need to push these boundaries,”
Therefore, to do what only a few people would be willing to do, the star took on the challenge and gave an outstanding performance to the audience.
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What Was I Love You Phillip Morris About?
One of the lesser-known yet exceptional Jim Carrey films, I Love You Phillip Morris tells the tale of Steven Russell, a man who is living the normal life of a cop with a family. But one day after an accident, he decides to not hide himself and comes out of the closet as a gay man, and moves to Florida where he embezzles a lot of money from banks and credit card companies to suit his pseudo-luxurious lifestyle. After getting caught and being sent to jail, he meets an inmate, whom he falls in love with, and wishes to go on another crime spree with.
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I Love You Phillip Morris, available on Prime Video.
Source: Glamour
