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?

---

Plot Keywords:

truth | lie | screenwriter | heaven | genetics | 

---

Taglines:

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

---

Genres:

Comedy | Fantasy | Romance

---

Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

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

Did You Know?

Trivia

Director, writer and actor Ricky Gervais sponsored an online Photoshop contest related to the movie theme by asking contestants to edit known movie posters as if those posters were usually lying to the audience.

---

Goofs

In the funeral parlor, Anna takes Mark's hand, and the position of her other hand changes between shots. Before, her free hand is beside her leg. After, her free hand is on top of her leg.

---

Quotes

[first lines]
Mark Bellison: [narrating] Testing. Testing. Testing over the credits. The credits that no one cares about.
[under his breathe]
Mark Bellison: "Ooh, we're the business people. Ooh, we want our credit before the film starts, 'cause..."
Mark Bellison: Anyway. The story you're about to see takes place in a world where the human race has never evolved the ability to tell a lie. This is a typical town in that world. As you can see, people have jobs and cars and houses and families, but everyone tells the absolute truth. There's no ...
[...]

---

Connections

Featured in The Tonight Show with Conan O'Brien: Ricky Gervais/Chicken Charlie/Lynyrd Skynyrd (2009)

---

Soundtracks

Do Anything You Wanna Do
(1977)
Written by Eddie Hollis and Graeme Douglas
Performed by Eddie and the Hot Rods
Courtesy of Universal-Island Records Ltd.
Under license from Universal Music Enterprises

User Reviews

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.

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

Gross USA:

$18,451,251

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$32,406,507

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