The Invention of Lying

Synopsis: A man named Mark lives in an alternate reality where lying does not exist, until he discovers the concept.

Release Date: September 25, 2009     MPAA Rating: PG-13

Genre(s): Comedy, Romance

Film Review

A world where no one can lie – that is something you could really contemplate for hours. In this filmic world, where it is a reality, the being unable to lie is not cause for concern, it’s the way in which people spout out every thought and idea in their head. The ability to lie and the ability to keep ones’ thoughts to themselves are completely different things but this movie treats them as one and the same. Not only do people tell the truth about everything but they tell you everything they are thinking, doing, feeling, and so on. This is obviously meant to add humor to the plot but instead it makes for an awkward and over done script that is begging you to laugh at the lack of self-control people have over their own minds. As this lightens up towards the middle you are thrown into a multitude of other focuses. The main one being: how to explain a lie when you are the only person with the ability to do so. The solution is…create “the man in the sky” aka God. To go any deeper into that would ruin most of second half of the film but all I will say is that it is not very entertaining or humorous. This is not because God should not be seen as a lie, no, that has comic potential of “biblical” proportions. Its simply the execution and how it stalls the movie completely. You never really know where it is going or where it will end up. The romance and attempts to woo the girl is always at the forefront but it gets lost so often as the covering up of the lies takes over. This may be a film that grows on you with multiple viewings, but do not expect to walk out feeling satisfied the first time around.

Mark (Ricky Gervais) and Jennifer (Jennifer Garner) do have the ‘opposites attract’ spark throughout the entire film. They come across as very cute together in that mismatched, cannot believe it could happen way. This is of course imperative to the story as it is the backbone of the film. It is there moments on screen that capture your attention and the curiosity it feeds as to whether they will get together in the end.

I hate to say it but this movie is just not funny. At first it has moments; these people are spurting out the hard cold truth after all. Yet it never grabs you and makes you really laugh. A smile here and there sure, a shake of your head over what is happening, yes. A good from the gut laugh – never. The most humorous part is the idea of it all, not being able to lie, and the naivete of the people in this town. Their gullability level is of the highest level. If all you know is the truth then you would and could believe anything. That has potential, but all potential is lost in how it is presented.

Cast and Crew

• Director(s): Ricky GervaisLynda Obst
• Producer(s): Ricky GervaisMatthew Robinson
• Screenwriter(s): Ricky Gervais (Mark)Jennifer Garner (Jennifer)Jonah Hill (Frank)
• Story: Jason Bateman (Doctor)
• Cast: Patrick Stewart (Narrator)Tina Fey (Shelley)Jeffrey Tambor (Anthony) Rob Lowe (Rob)Christopher Guest (Nathan Goldfrappe)Chris GillTim SuhrstedtAlec Hammond
• Editor(s):
• Cinematographer: Tim Atack
• Production Designer(s):
• Costume Designer: 
• Casting Director(s): Gradient Effects
• Music Score: 
• Music Performed By: 
• Country Of Origin: USA