I love you Philip Morris Press Conference - N West
Today in Cannes, at the 'directors fortnight' showing of his highly anticipated 'gay prison dramedy', Jim explained his motivation for doing the film.
"I've read only a few scripts in my life I felt I had to absolutely do -- 'The Truman Show,' 'Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind', and 'I Love You Phillip Morris,'"
The true story of Steven Russell, a flamboyant con-man who falls in love with fellow prison inmate Philip Morris, played by Ewen McGregor and makes several jail-break attempts to be with his lover , Jim confessed
'I was compelled by his insane need for acceptance, his relentlessness when it came to wanting love," he said, adding with a grin: "I don't know why they cast me."
"I said to my agent -- I have to do this even if I have to offer to do it for free," "I didn't actually make that offer," he added.
Jim was especially full of praise for the script written by co-writers and first-time directors Glenn Ficarra and John Requa , "They told a really risky little story and actually dared to make it romantic."
I love you Philip Morris has finally secured distribution deals and is due out on general release in 2010.