The movie 'I Love You Phillip Morris' has elements of both fact and fiction. Factually, it's inspired by the real - life story of Steven Russell, a con artist who fell in love while in prison. However, in the movie, there are likely fictional elements in the form of dialogue and some of the more outlandish situations. The filmmakers had to compress and shape the story to fit the format of a film, so while the core of the story is based on truth, there are fictional embellishments.
It is based on a true story. The plot and characters have roots in actual occurrences, although some elements might have been dramatized for the screen.
One key element is Steven Jay Russell's criminal behavior. He committed frauds which were quite elaborate. Another is his love for Phillip Morris which was so strong that it influenced all his actions. Also, his repeated prison escapes are a significant part of the story.