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
Nate Corddry	...	News Reporter
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:

homosexual | truth | lie | screenwriter | heaven | 

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Taglines:

In a world where everyone can only tell the truth,.....he's just invented the 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 USA:

$7,027,472, 4 October 2009, Wide Release

Gross USA:

$18,439,082, 13 December 2009

Company Credits

Production Co:

Warner Bros., Radar Pictures, Media Rights Capital (MRC)

Technical Specs

Runtime:

100 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital DTS SDDS

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The film's credits are set in the Windsor typeface, used notably in the films of Woody Allen.

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Goofs

Even though Anna can't lie, on her date with Mark she fakes a smile a couple of times.

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Quotes

Martha Bellison: I'm so scared, Mark. People don't talk about it, but death is a horrible thing. One minute, you're alive, and then just like that, it's all gone. This is it, Mark. Few more hours like this and then an eternity of nothingness. I'm so... I'm so frightened.
Mark Bellison: Oh, Mum. Mum, listen to me. Listen carefully. You're wrong about what happens after you die. It's not an eternity of nothingness.
Martha Bellison: Huh?
Mark Bellison: You go to your favourite place in the whole world. Yeah. And everyone you've ever loved and who's ever loved ...

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Connections

Referenced in The Jay Leno Show: Episode #1.82 (2010)

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Soundtracks

Mr Blue Sky
(1978)
Written by Jeff Lynne
Performed by Electric Light Orchestra
Courtesy of Daft As A Brush, Inc.

User Reviews

Insights into human nature

I found the movie to be mind stretching. Gee, the movie may exaggerate human suggestibility, but we are quite susceptible to what others tell us--especially if we want to believe what they say. Our susceptibility also results from our prior cultural experiences. Some cultures are very authoritarian. Thus, people from those backgrounds are more susceptible than those people from cultures that encourage questioning.

Another aspect I enjoyed was the recognition of the character that his power to influence others could be used selfishly or to help others. A related aspect of the influencing is the unpredictability of the effects that the influence will have on others--one might call these effects "collateral damage, complications, and benefits". I relate these interventions to all human interactions--including interventions into the affairs of other countries.