IMDb > The Invention of Lying (2009)
The Invention of Lying
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The Invention of Lying (2009) -- Interview: Rob Lowe "On his character"
The Invention of Lying (2009) -- TV Spot: Honesty trailer
The Invention of Lying (2009) -- TV Spot: First lie trailer

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Overview

User Rating:
6.8/10   3,978 votes
MOVIEmeter: ?
Down 39% in popularity this week. See why on IMDbPro.
Writers (WGA):
Ricky Gervais (written by) &
Matthew Robinson (written by)
Contact:
View company contact information for The Invention of Lying on IMDbPro.
Release Date:
2 October 2009 (USA) more
Genre:
Tagline:
In a world where everyone can only tell the truth... ...this guy can lie. more
Plot:
A comedy set in a world where no one has ever lied, until a writer seizes the opportunity for personal gain. | full synopsis
Plot Keywords:
NewsDesk:
(325 articles)
Film oracle CinemaScore spells doom for The Box
 (From The Guardian - Film News. 19 November 2009, 4:21 PM, PST)

2012 achieves world domination
 (From The Guardian - Film News. 16 November 2009, 6:25 AM, PST)

User Comments:
Clever Concept That Never Fully Materializes more (80 total)

Cast

  (Cast overview, first billed only)
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Additional Details

Also Known As:
This Side of the Truth (USA) (working title)
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MPAA:
Rated PG-13 for language including some sexual material and a drug reference.
Runtime:
99 min | Canada:99 min (Toronto International Film Festival)
Country:
Language:
Color:
Sound Mix:
Certification:
USA:PG-13 (certificate #45305) | UK:12A | Ireland:15A
Filming Locations:
Company:

Fun Stuff

Trivia:
The chapel where Jennifer Garner is getting married near the end of the film is the same chapel she was getting married in in her previous film, Ghosts of Girlfriends Past (2009). more
Goofs:
Continuity: In the bar scene, there is a full glass of beer in front of Mark. When the camera cuts to the bartender then back to Mark, his beer glass is near empty, now accompanied by several empty shot glasses. more
Quotes:
Talking Head Woman: Wow, I just got done taking the biggest poop of my life. Now what were we eating? more
Movie Connections:
Soundtrack:
Dreamer more

FAQ

Is "The Invention of Lying" based on a book?
How much sex, violence, and profanity are in this movie?
A Note Regarding Spoilers
more
10 out of 12 people found the following comment useful.
Clever Concept That Never Fully Materializes, 11 October 2009
6/10
Author: Matt_Layden from Canada

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.

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Message Boards

Discuss this movie with other users on IMDb message board for The Invention of Lying (2009)
Recent Posts (updated daily)User
One of the most profound films ever made Valjean24601
Taking a great idea and making it mediocre at best.. KaiZuko
Anyone Else Not Really Like This Movie, And NOT Because of Religion? sixpetite
He didn't step out of the 'shallow box' until he started lying inuyashaisdabest
a missing logical step alupka
Louis CK??? MKarretstop
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