Multiple plot points, including explicit on-screen gay sex scenes, Steven's repeated declarations of love for Phillip, and prison escapes driven solely by the desire to reunite with him, establish the queer romance as the foundational narrative driver rather than incidental background. This thematic centrality turns a biographical caper into a platform for normalizing same-sex love as the protagonist's sole motivation, intruding on the entertainment value by subordinating the con elements to ideological affirmation. Directors Glenn Ficarra and John Requa adapted the true story of Steven Russell to center this relationship while downplaying overt messaging, yet the released content still prioritizes the normalization of gay identity and relationships as the engine of the story.

The biographical focus earned a GLAAD award specifically for its portrayal, underscoring creator intent to highlight and celebrate the same-sex devotion. With no casting alterations or audience reception gaps noted, the high score stems directly from how these elements make progressive themes foundational rather than additive.