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:

homosexual | man wears eyeglasses | truth | lie | screenwriter | 

---

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

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

Did You Know?

Trivia

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

---

Goofs

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

---

Quotes

Anna McDoogles: You're smart. You're kind. You're the sweetest man I've ever met. You are... You are definitely the most-interesting person I know. And you are fun to be with. And you see the world in a way that nobody else sees the world, and I like the way you see the world. You're my best friend. You make me happier than anyone I've ever known. And I love you.

---

Connections

Referenced in An Idiot Abroad: Climb Mount Fuji (2011)

---

Soundtracks

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

User Reviews

Kinda stupid.

Why is it called "The Invention of Lying" when it should be called "Compelled to say anything that pops in to my mind at any time".

I mean, if you don't like saying something that might be embarrassing then just don't say anything or that you don't wanna talkt about it, you aren't lying.

Way overanalysing this, the movie was ok if you shut of your brain for a while.