Review: THE INVENTION OF LYING

I felt only moderate enthusiasm towards this film going in, expecting a satisfyingly funny but run-of-the-mill comedy. Instead, what I experienced was was a surprisingly creative (and funny) experiment with a very simple concept. What would society be like if the human race had never discovered how to lie? This is the premise that THE INVENTION OF LYING throws us into upon the very opening of the film.

Ricky Gervais narrates the film in the beginning, setting the audience up for an altogether foreign experience of a world where everyone speaks the truth and reveals without hesitation whatever is on their minds. Witnessing this “what if” version of a potential alternate universe to our own is appealing because we know it could never occur in “our” world. In that sense, the film is brutally honest and unflinching, resulting in laughter overshadowing the realization that we’re watching what we’re all thinking but rarely reveal.

The story follows Mark Bellison (Gervais) through one day when everything goes wrong. Bellison is a screenwriter for a major film studio, except in this world movies consist of one guy sitting in a chair reading from a teleprompter about period in history… sort of like sitting through a high school social studies class. Sound exciting? Not really, but this is a great parallel to the idea of a completely truthful world. Movies, as we know them, do not exist in this world because on some level, all movies are a lie. Keep in mind, even exaggerations are lies… there’s no bending the truth.

After a long day of enduring one disappointment after another, including the loss of his job and a failed attempt at impressing his date with Anna McDoogles (Jennifer Garner, JUNO), Bellison goes to the bank to extract the mere $300 he has left to pay for a truck to move out after being evicted. During this crucial moment in Bellison’s life and human history he discovers something entirely new about himself… he can speak what never was. [aka – He lied, but the very word “lie” does not exist in this world.]

Bellison pays his $800 rent and his mind begins racing as to the significance of what just occurred. Once he wraps his head around it all, he begins changing his life one piece at a time based on strategically invented lies to assist him in the areas he has previously failed. Money and his career are no longer an issue, but Bellison finds out some things aren’t so easy to fix, even with being the only person on the planet who can say something that is not true.

THE INVENTION OF LYING was written and directed by Ricky Gervais (GHOST TOWN) and newcomer Matthew Robinson. The story begins as a fairly straight-forward comedy, but gradually evolves into an intelligent allegorical parody of mankind’s unique connection to morality, faith and religion. For this reason alone, I predict the movie is going to have to very distinctly polarized audiences… those who love the film and those who hate the film. In between, we’ll find the open-minded and easygoing members of the audience who accept the film for what it is, a comedy that makes an observation about ourselves. Like it or not, that’s what this movie offers.

Personally, I felt the film went slightly deeper than just playing the religion card. Just below the surface, I felt the movie tries to say something about our own personal struggle struggle between doing what we truly want in life and the often unbearably heavy burden of doing what we feel is expected of us, from friends, family and society in general. This is most clearly apparent in the development of Bellison’s relationship with Anna, which goes through a few different stages before both characters finally experience an epiphany during a scene clearly inspired by THE GRADUATE.

Gervais is very funny and audiences can expect the same style and level of comedy presented in GHOST TOWN. His sharp,   cutting delivery of sarcastic dialogue and his ability to subtly stick tiny little spoken daggers into other characters has the same appeal as Hugh Laurie’s portrayal of Gregory House, MD. Jennifer Garner was well cast as the athletically-toned, sexy, long-legged beauty for which Bellison yearns. She’s got the special look that combines “I’m incredibly hot and I know it” with “I’m really nice and innocent” that keeps her from falling into any conventional stereotype of a stuck-up woman.

What makes THE INVENTION OF LYING even more enjoyable is the jaw-dropping ensemble cast sprinkled throughout the film. Louis C.K. (ROLE MODELS) plays Bellison’s alcoholic best friend Greg, Jeffrey Tambor (THE HANGOVER) plays his non-confrontational boss Anthony, Jonah Hill (SUPERBAD) plays his depressed, nearly suicidal neighbor Frank, Rob Lowe (THANK YOU FOR SMOKING) plays the egotistical rival screenwriter Brad who hates everything about Bellison, Tina Fey (MEAN GIRLS) plays his stuck-up, disrespectful secretary who can’t wait for him to get fired, but this is just the beginning.

Cameos appear from other popular stars, including one from another star of JUNO, one from a master character actor and director who prefers to turn things up to 11, and another from an actor, well… I can’t bring myself to give this one away. So, I’ll just recommend paying close attention to the actor who plays the motorcycle cop.

Overall, THE INVENTION OF LYING is a worthwhile comedy that is sure to make audiences laugh. Some will chuckle and some will cachinnate (he he, big word!) but I honestly believe that anyone who doesn’t find some enjoyment in this movie simply has no funny bone. If a comedy that’s not dumbed down and will make you laugh unexpectedly is what you want, THE INVENTION OF LYING will surely hold true to those expectations.