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IMDbPro

The Invention of Lying

  • 2009
  • Tous publics
  • 1h 40m
IMDb RATING
6.4/10
155K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
3,292
341
Rob Lowe, Jennifer Garner, Louis C.K., and Ricky Gervais in The Invention of Lying (2009)
Trailer for The Invention of Lying
Play trailer2:03
12 Videos
99+ Photos
High-Concept ComedyRomantic ComedySatireComedyFantasyRomance

A comedy set in a world where no one has ever lied, until a writer seizes the opportunity for personal gain.A comedy set in a world where no one has ever lied, until a writer seizes the opportunity for personal gain.A comedy set in a world where no one has ever lied, until a writer seizes the opportunity for personal gain.

  • Directors
    • Ricky Gervais
    • Matthew Robinson
  • Writers
    • Ricky Gervais
    • Matthew Robinson
  • Stars
    • Ricky Gervais
    • Jennifer Garner
    • Jonah Hill
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    6.4/10
    155K
    YOUR RATING
    POPULARITY
    3,292
    341
    • Directors
      • Ricky Gervais
      • Matthew Robinson
    • Writers
      • Ricky Gervais
      • Matthew Robinson
    • Stars
      • Ricky Gervais
      • Jennifer Garner
      • Jonah Hill
    • 446User reviews
    • 183Critic reviews
    • 58Metascore
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 1 nomination total

    Videos12

    The Invention of Lying: UK Trailer
    Trailer 2:03
    The Invention of Lying: UK Trailer
    The Invention of Lying: "Any Messages?"
    Clip 0:33
    The Invention of Lying: "Any Messages?"
    The Invention of Lying: "Any Messages?"
    Clip 0:33
    The Invention of Lying: "Any Messages?"
    The Invention Of Lying: I'll Always Be More Successful Than You
    Clip 0:43
    The Invention Of Lying: I'll Always Be More Successful Than You
    The Invention Of Lying: Any Messages
    Clip 0:34
    The Invention Of Lying: Any Messages
    The Invention Of Lying: You're Fired
    Clip 0:55
    The Invention Of Lying: You're Fired
    The Invention Of Lying: It's A Birthday Coupon For Sex
    Clip 1:21
    The Invention Of Lying: It's A Birthday Coupon For Sex

    Photos103

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    + 97
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    Top cast99+

    Edit
    Ricky Gervais
    Ricky Gervais
    • Mark Bellison
    Jennifer Garner
    Jennifer Garner
    • Anna McDoogles
    Jonah Hill
    Jonah Hill
    • Frank
    Louis C.K.
    Louis C.K.
    • Greg
    Jeffrey Tambor
    Jeffrey Tambor
    • Anthony
    Fionnula Flanagan
    Fionnula Flanagan
    • Martha Bellison
    Rob Lowe
    Rob Lowe
    • Brad Kessler
    Tina Fey
    Tina Fey
    • Shelley
    Donna Sorbello
    • Anna's Mother
    Stephanie March
    Stephanie March
    • Blonde
    Ruben Santiago-Hudson
    Ruben Santiago-Hudson
    • Landlord
    John Hodgman
    John Hodgman
    • Wedding Overseer
    Nate Corddry
    Nate Corddry
    • News Reporter
    Jimmi Simpson
    Jimmi Simpson
    • Bob
    Martin Starr
    Martin Starr
    • Waiter #1
    Jason Bateman
    Jason Bateman
    • Doctor
    Christopher Guest
    Christopher Guest
    • Nathan Goldfrappe
    Alton Fitzgerald White
    Alton Fitzgerald White
    • Angelo Badsmith
    • Directors
      • Ricky Gervais
      • Matthew Robinson
    • Writers
      • Ricky Gervais
      • Matthew Robinson
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews446

    6.4154.5K
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    Featured reviews

    7KnowOne1988

    God is an upside down fruit man

    This movie had a hard life. A lot of people walked out of theaters trash talking it. I honestly think the only reason this movie is being criticized so harshly is because it pokes at religion. It was the best allegory on religion since Cat's Craddle. This movie was interesting, and it really makes the viewer think about human values. Just because a movie mimics reality so honestly it seems absurd is not a reason to dislike something. How do you dislike the truth. I think people should watch this movie remembering it's just a movie. Friendly advice: don't get your panties all bunched up before you sit down in the dark for two hours.

    The Invention of Lying, is a hilarious comedy that also offers some thought provoking truths.
    5Magic_Lantern

    Clever concept that never reaches its full potential

    In a world where people can only tell the truth, Ricky Gervais creates the lie. What follows this simple concept with great potential is a series of quick fire jokes made funny by the sheer bluntness of the absolute truth. The screenplay is lightly comical but rarely laugh-out-loud funny and continually relies on the same concept.

    As the plot progresses, it veers from quick-fire jokes to a parody of religion. On the one hand, this offers an interesting and thought-provoking reflection; however, I found the developing plot to become mildly preachy and irritating to watch. The humour level drops and the religious overtones and romantic subplot overshadow the interesting idea.

    Visually, I found the film to be rather drab and dreary. Similarly, I didn't care for the dowdy and monotonous score and soundtrack choices. I understand that these are probably intended to represent a world without fiction, but they make the film a little tedious to watch and don't add anything to the movie. I enjoyed Jenifer Garner's performance as Gervais' love interest which she's plays with harsh yet likable realism, but Gervais' lead performance left me a little cold. In combination with lacklustre screenplay, I was left unimpressed with the utilisation of a potentially hilarious and fascinating concept.

    The Invention of Lying is a quiet, simple movie on the surface, but underneath lies a more complex, thought-provoking moral allegory, albeit one that fails to deliver anything truly remarkable. It tries to be clever, but fails to deliver.

    5/10.
    8LilyJayne

    A comedy about the truth to our world

    "The Invention of Lying" begins with a series of truths, which in our world today nobody says because, well, we can lie, but in this world nobody can. It's funny in a very basic way, and it gets old quick. But then, Ricky Gervais discovers how to lie.

    Along with Gervais, we learn a lot about society, and we see all the inherent humour. This humour actually has a fair number of levels to it. On one level, humanity is very base, but the great thing about lying is that we actually get to a level where we can find the good in people. This movie is for everybody who has ever been called short, fat or ugly, and for all those people who see that it's always the good looking people who get everything they want in the world. But Gervais is now here to stand up for us, and just let us laugh.

    "The Invention of Lying" is filled with one-liners, intelligent wit and the ultimate truth to our world. It's also filled with many recognizable actors, all there to make the movie shinier and brighter. Jennifer Garner at one point tells our hero, "I like the way you see the world." Well, so do I, Mr. Gervais, so do I.
    6Matt_Layden

    Clever Concept That Never Fully Materializes

    In a world where everyone must tell the truth, one man after being fired and almost evicted is pushed to the limits. His brain does something abnormal, he tells a lie. Not just any lie, the world's first lie. Since no one in this universe has ever heard a lie before, they take it as fact. Now this man has the world at his feet.

    It is a clever concept, a clever and more massive spin on Liar Liar, yet that might not be such a good thing. The premise of this film is funny, but it becomes too much of itself and is tiresome after a while. The joke goes on and on, he tells lies, people believe him. In one scene a lie gets him in too deep to dig himself back up and that's where the conflict in this film comes in. Yet one can ask themselves a simple question, why not just lie his way out of it, instead of digging deeper holes.

    Gervais is at the lead again, after his feel good comedy Ghost Town, which people decided to skip. This time around he's also behind the camera, yet nothing technical about this film pops out, it plays out like an average comedy, relying on it's one concept. The one concept gets some laughs here and there, but there are never any really laugh out loud moments.

    The film has some emotional scenes, that influence the rest of the film. The comedy kind of takes a second step to the theme of religion. Some people may find this irritating. Jennifer Garner plays the romantic lead, who finds Gervais fat and with a stubby nose, not a good match genetically for a marriage and children. Yet they form a friendship, one in which Gervais hopes will blossom into something more. Does it? Well, how do romantic comedies usually work out? Here the outcome doesn't seem too believable. Things happens and people react without really knowing why, this leaves little for character arc.

    How do people live in a world with no lies? Well, when you want to watch a film, you go to the theatre. In that theatre you'll see a guy sitting in a chair reciting history. Since, movies are mostly fiction, no one can make one, cause it would be a lie. See where this film goes? A retirement home becomes "A place where old people go to die", so on and so on.

    The film does have some really funny cameos. It's mostly the usual comedy round, but there is at least one in which I was so caught off guard that I just couldn't help but laugh. Look out for a cop. Jonah Hill and Louis C.K. play two supporting character, neither are funny.

    The film is funny, but not enough to warrant a theatre viewing. This has rental written all over it. It simply cannot stand on it's concept for too long, because it becomes a bit dull. If it were a short, I could enjoy it more.
    7happygoluckyduck

    On a scale of one to Casablanca, this film is a "Oh, God!" (1977

    Review:

    I like comedies like this. They don't rely on big budgets or snide, lowbrow humor. They get by on wit alone. "The Invention of Lying" (2009) is about just what the title says its about. It takes place in a universe where lying simply does not exist. Everybody says what is exactly on their minds all the time. For instance, when Mark Bellison (Ricky Gervais) picks up Anna (Jennifer Garner) for a first date, she promptly tells Mark that he's short, unattractive, and she's not looking forward to this date.

    This is a universe peopled with trusting citizens. Skepticism does not exist. Nor does naïveté, because in a world where no one lies, there is nothing to be naïve about. If you are fat and dumb you are called fat and dumb by whoever is thinking about you.

    And so we follow Mark Bellison throughout his sad daily routine. He is fired from his job as a screen writer for a movie company that produces feature length films of people reciting history, because fiction is a lie of course. His secretary (Tina Fey) admits she has loathed every day she works for him. He visits his mother at a nursing home, otherwise known as "A Sad Place Where Homeless Old People Come to Die." And finally his landlord evicts him.

    When Mark goes to the bank to take out the last $300 in his account sparks fly in his brain. He lies to the bank teller saying he actually has $800 in his account. She gives him the money and Mark wakes up to the power of his new discovery. He has invented lying.

    In one hilarious scene, Mark tests out his new powers on his barfly friend and a bartender, claiming he invented the bicycle and a slew of other outrageous assertions. The bartender and barfly believe his every word.

    The most interesting aspect of this movie is its implications for religion. When Mark's mother is dying at the "Sad place…" she confides to her son that she fears the nothingness of death. Now, capable of lying Mark tells his mother that when she dies she will be in a good place with her own mansion and everyone she ever loved. In effect, Mark creates the notion of heaven. A doctor and nurse overhear this description and believing him, they spread the word of Mark's revelation and soon he becomes an international prophet. This whole premise is hysterical and actually somewhat subversive.

    But eventually the film changes gears and becomes more of a rudimentary romantic comedy with Mark trying to win the heart of Anna without having to manipulate her with lies. She, of course, doesn't want Mark because he wouldn't be a good genetic fit for her children. Anna prefers the handsome and narcissistic Brad Kessler (Rob Lowe). While this story line is still funny, I preferred the religion plot more and wish they had followed it deeper.

    "The Invention of Lying" is getting at something though it doesn't state it explicitly. Instead of an analysis of the negative or positive effects of lying, it is really a study of the various layers of truth embedded in all things. Admittedly, I didn't like the romantic story, but I did appreciate Anna's realization that truth cuts deeper than superficial, initial reactions. Anna never discovers what lying is, but she does find that truth is not immutable. The truth changes as we change.

    Rating:

    On a scale of one to Casablanca, this film is a "Oh, God!" (1977).

    Rationalization:

    This film is more like a comedic episode of the Twilight Zone than a typical comedy. I always find it impressive when a film digs deeper than it has to, no matter how slight that extra digging may be. "The Invention of Lying" is well done, enjoyable, and funny. By the end of the film you know why there are so many notable cameo parts for so many big name actors. Everyone wants to help a comedy like this. Ricky Gervais has proved his staying power as actor, writer, director in England and now he seems to be working on America. To him, I say 'Godspeed.'

    Storyline

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    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      When trying to secure Philip Seymour Hoffman for his cameo his agent claimed he was too busy so Ricky Gervais requested his email address and sent him the following: "Dear Philip, will you please appear in my new film? There is very little money involved as I spent the budget on testicular implants, but don't look upon them as my testicles, look at them as our testicles." Phillip Seymour Hoffman couldn't refuse after that.
    • Goofs
      John Hodgman, as the "Wedding Overseer" looks to be wearing a crucifix. However, upon close examination, it is actually a likeness of Mark holding the "two pizza boxes", matching the image behind the "Wedding Overseer".
    • Quotes

      Bob: Hi, I'm Bob I'm the spokesperson for the Coca-Cola company. I'm here today to ask you to continue buying Coke. Sure, it's a drink you've been drinking for years, and if you still enjoy it, I'd like to remind you to buy it again sometime soon. It's basically just brown sugar water, we haven't changed the ingredients much lately, so there's nothing new I can tell you about that. We changed the can around a little bit, though. See, the colors here are different there, and we added a polar bear so the kids like us. Coke is very high in sugar and like any high calorie soda it can lead to obesity in children and adults who don't sustain a very healthy diet. So that's it, it's Coke. It's very famous, everyone knows it. I'm Bob, I work for coke, and I'm asking you to not stop buying Coke. That's all. It's a bit sweet. Thank you.

    • Connections
      Edited into Live Free or Die Hard (Project 12, 8/12) (2011)
    • Soundtracks
      Beer Rally
      Courtesy of Killer Tracks

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    FAQ

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    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • April 28, 2010 (France)
    • Countries of origin
      • United States
      • United Kingdom
    • Official site
      • Official site
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Mytho-Man!
    • Filming locations
      • Lowell, Massachusetts, USA
    • Production companies
      • Warner Bros.
      • Radar Pictures
      • Media Rights Capital (MRC)
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • $18,500,000 (estimated)
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $18,451,251
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $7,027,472
      • Oct 4, 2009
    • Gross worldwide
      • $32,406,507
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 40 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Dolby Digital
      • DTS
      • SDDS
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.85 : 1

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