After a car crash, Steven Russell (Jim Carry) leaves his former life behind, including his wife and daughter, to explore the world as the gay man he really is. He goes to live in Miami, and meets a boyfriend (Rodrigo Santoro). Steven becomes a con man to support the lifestyle he and his boyfriend have grown accustomed to. Steven gets caught by the police and sent to prison. While there, he falls in love with Phillip Morris (Ewan McGregor).
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After being released, he frees Phillip from prison by posing as his lawyer, because he can't stand to be separated from Phillip. He acquires wealth by getting a position as financial director of a management company. After a while Steven gets caught stealing money from the company, and is sent back to prison. Phillip is incarcerated as an accomplice. He is so furious about Steven's lies, he tells Steven he never wants to see him again. Some months later, Phillip learns that Steven is dying of AIDS. Devastated, Phillip calls Steven up in the sick ward and confesses he still loves him. Later Phillip is told that Steven died.
A while later Phillip is taken to meet with his lawyer and finds Steven waiting for him. Steven describes how he faked having AIDS and dying, taken from his experience with a former boyfriend who died of AIDS, in order to see Phillip again. He takes on one last con job to get Phillip out of prison, but gets caught.
The end of the movie reveals that the real-life Phillip Morris was released from prison, but Steven was given a life sentence. The last shot shows Steven laughing merrily while he runs across the yard, prison guards in hot pursuit, in another attempt to be with the love of his life, Phillip.
Best part of story, including ending:
It's a rather funny story of what this man is willing to do for love.
Best scene in story:
The last shot where he runs laughing a cross the yard to try and be with the love of his life again.
Opinion about the main character:
His willingness to sacrafice everything for love.
