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I Love You Phillip Morris (2009)




Screenplay Genre: Comedy / Drama / Romance

Movie Time: 102 Minutes

INCITING INCIDENT

After being caught embezzling Steven Russell (Jim Carrey) tries to commit suicide and is sent to prison. (00:18:22)

LOCK IN (End of Act One)

After falling in love with a soft-spoken, sensitive inmate Phillip Morris (Ewan McGregor) Steven cons his way into getting transferred to Phillip’s cell and devotes himself to freeing Phillip from prison so that they can be together. (00:29:54)

FIRST CULMINATION (Midpoint)

Pretending to be a lawyer, Steven cons his way into having Phillip released from prison. In order to take care of Phillip, Steven returns to his roots as a conman.  (00:48:30)

MAIN CULMINATION (End of Act Two)

After a series of embezzlements lead to Stevens impending imprisonment, Steven tries one last ditch attempt to win Phillip back. The police follow Steven to Phillip’s hiding place and arrest them both. Phillip swears he will never talk to Steven again. (01:16:15)

THIRD ACT TWIST

After finding out he had AIDS, Steven is transferred to a medical hospice where he dies. Phillips is released from prison by his lawyer, which turns out to be Steven. Through a series of clever cons Steven was able to fake his death from AIDS. (01:25:05)

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