The Invention of Lying (2009)

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

1 nomination.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Ricky Gervais	...	Mark Bellison
Jennifer Garner	...	Anna McDoogles
Jonah Hill	...	Frank
Louis C.K.	...	Greg
Jeffrey Tambor	...	Anthony
Fionnula Flanagan	...	Martha Bellison
Rob Lowe	...	Brad Kessler
Tina Fey	...	Shelley
Donna Sorbello	...	Anna's Mother
Stephanie March	...	Blonde
Ruben Santiago-Hudson	...	Landlord
John Hodgman	...	Wedding Overseer
Nathan Corddry	...	News Reporter (as Nate Corddry)
Jimmi Simpson	...	Bob
Martin Starr	...	Waiter #1

Storyline

It's a world where everyone tells the truth - and just about anything they're thinking. Mark Bellison is a screenwriter, about to be fired. He's short and chunky with a flat nose - a genetic setup that means he won't get to first base with Anna, the woman he loves. At a bank, on the spur of the moment he blurts out a fib, with eye-popping results. Then, when his mother's on her deathbed, frightened of the eternal void awaiting her, Mark invents fiction. The hospital staff overhear his description of Heaven, believe every word, and tell others. Soon Mark is a prophet, his first inventive screenplay makes him rich, and he's basically a good guy. But will that be enough for Anna?

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Plot Keywords:

love | truth | screenwriter | lie | genetics | 

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Taglines:

In a world where everyone can only tell the truth... ...this guy can lie.

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Genres:

Comedy | Fantasy | Romance

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG-13 for language including some sexual material and a drug reference

Details

Official Sites:

Official site Ricky Gervais - Blog

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

2 October 2009 (USA)

Also Known As:

This Side of the Truth

Filming Locations:

Boston, Massachusetts, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$18,500,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend:

£1,735,326 (UK) (2 October 2009)

Gross:

$18,439,082 (USA) (11 December 2009)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Warner Bros., Radar Pictures, Media Rights Capital

Technical Specs

Runtime:

100 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital DTS SDDS

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The film was released theatrically in France with its original title, but by the time it was released on DVD, this was changed to "Mytho-Man!", which is a play on words, the French word "mythomane" meaning "pathological liar".

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Goofs

When Greg and Mark are being pulled over by the motorcycle cop, the rearward shot clearly shows that they are on a 4 lane street with buildings on each side, and he stops in the left lane near the center line. But in the remainder of the scene they are stopped in the right lane of a long bridge. Also, the lights on the police motorcycle are still flashing as the officer walks up to confront the driver of the car. Later in the scene, the lights on the motorcycle are not on anymore.

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Quotes

Mark Bellison: [calling Anna] Hi, this is Mark.
Anna McDoogles: Oh, hi Mark. Didn't you get my email?
Mark Bellison: The one about being not good enough for you?
Anna McDoogles: That's the one.
Mark Bellison: Yeah, got that. Cheers.

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Connections

Referenced in Life's Too Short: Episode #1.6 (2011)

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Soundtracks

"Give A Little Bit"
(1977)
Written by Roger Hodgson and Rick Davies (as Richard Davies)
Performed by Supertramp
Courtesy of A&M Records
Under license from Universal Music Enterprises

User Reviews

Worth Seeing in the Theater

I'm not sure whats up with people's comments on this movie. I honestly enjoyed myself. This is a very British style humor, wonderfully executed by Gervais. The concept had a different potential then people are expecting. This is not Carry/Liar, Liar humor. You have to be a bit more witty and insightful then that to enjoy this movie. The casting was great on this film. I'm glad Hill took on a serious role and did it well. I really liked Garner in this film. She was fantastic and played off of Gervais very well. I also liked the way they portrayed a world without lie; very well thought out. Overall, good concept put on screen and wonderfully played. Great job.