The Invention of Lying

Name: The Invention of Lying
Genre: Fantasy, Comedy, Romance
Released: October 2, 2009
Duration: 99 min
Rating: 58
Cast: Ricky Gervais

2009

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Mixed or average reviews based on 31 Critic Reviews

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Mixed or average reviews based on 163 Ratings

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5.8	User Score Mixed or average reviews based on 163 Ratings

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The Invention Of Lying

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Movie Details & Credits

Warner Bros. Pictures | Release Date: October 2, 2009 | PG-13

Starring: Ricky Gervais

Summary: The Invention of Lying takes place in an alternate reality where lying--even the concept of a lie--does not exist. Everyone--from politicians to advertisers to the man and woman on the street--speaks the truth and nothing but the truth with no thought of the consequences. But when a down-on-his-luck loser named Mark suddenly develops theThe Invention of Lying takes place in an alternate reality where lying--even the concept of a lie--does not exist. Everyone--from politicians to advertisers to the man and woman on the street--speaks the truth and nothing but the truth with no thought of the consequences. But when a down-on-his-luck loser named Mark suddenly develops the ability to lie, he finds that dishonesty has its rewards. In a world where every word is assumed to be the absolute truth, Mark easily lies his way to fame and fortune. But lies have a way of spreading, and Mark begins to realize that things are getting a little out of control when some of his tallest tales are being taken as, well, gospel. With the entire world now hanging on his every word, there is only one thing Mark has not been able to lie his way into: the heart of the woman he loves. (Warner Bros.)… Expand

Director: Matthew Robinson and Ricky Gervais

Genre(s): Fantasy, Comedy, Romance

Rating: PG-13

Runtime: 99 min

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Critic Reviews

Roger Ebert

In its amiable, quiet, PG-13 way, The Invention of Lying is a remarkably radical comedy. Read full review

Michael Rechtshaffen

Gervais and Robinson take what might have been a cute concept comedy and elevate it to delicious heights. Read full review

Marc Mohan

It's a fantastic high concept to wrap the film around, and Gervais comes close to fulfilling its potential, especially when he tells a comforting deathbed lie to his dying mother and accidentally invents religion. Read full review

Joe Williams

This topsy-turvy flick is fitfully funny, but more often it's just odd, like the first draft of a "Twilight Zone" episode that's missing its moral. Read full review

David Fear

Once the sharp, clever satire gives way to what feels like a special must-see-TV episode, the movie’s promise slowly deflates. Read full review

Ty Burr

With The Invention of Lying, the British comic actor Ricky Gervais has come up with a wickedly funny idea for a movie - and then purged the wickedness right out of it. Read full review

Empire Chris Hewitt (1)

Proof that when you aim for the stars, sometimes you find a black hole. Hopefully just an anomaly for the usually wonderful Gervais. Read full review

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User Reviews

BobS

Nov 4, 2009

Fabulous. Funny. Well done. Yes, it might have been executed in a better cinematic way, but who cares. The story, the plot, the acting, and most importantly the message was outstanding. In a nice delicate way it explained how religion -- while it might do very nice things to make people Fabulous. Funny. Well done. Yes, it might have been executed in a better cinematic way, but who cares. The story, the plot, the acting, and most importantly the message was outstanding. In a nice delicate way it explained how religion -- while it might do very nice things to make people happy and lead nice lives -- is based on fables and stories. As people take those stories and make them absolute truths, they inhibit their ability to have original thought and sometimes do bad things. They can even use the religion as the excuse or rationale to do things that aren't good for others. They claim they can do things because god talks to them. That's why religious extremists can inspire so many illiterate and hopeless people and turn them into terrorists. That's why religions can get people to hate people - like gays, people of other religions, or non-believers. That's why religions can get people not to use birth control even thought population expansion is really bad for the planet. That's why Popes jailed Galileo in the 17th century for having scientific thought that contradicted church teachings. And that's why the religious right today can get all upset about movies like this -- because they see it as blasphemy that challenges their thinking rather than just seeing it as a someone with original thought questioning beliefs that have gotten out of hand.… Expand

2 of 2 users found this helpful

40mangunshot

Jan 31, 2020

This movie was hilarious and also very touching with a powerful message. A great film to spent your time with.

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

MacheteDontText

Jan 19, 2020

A bit cheesy, but i literally cried laughing. Big plus for **** all over religion.

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

dev92

Aug 25, 2012

The idea for the film is absolutely outstanding. It's just a shame that the film itself isn't as funny as it could be. Ricky Gervais is funny in places but there simply aren't enough jokes. It starts wane a lot towards the end. Still I would recommend it to others simply for the premise alone.

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

AdeC.

Oct 17, 2009

Gervais is perfect in the role. It's a lovely idea but not compelling enough to last 90 minutes.

0 of 0 users found this helpful

DougB.

Oct 5, 2009

A great premise is wasted on a script based on characters who, because they can't lie--are also idiots. The characters have no ability to govern their speech at all, and this singular gag gets replayed ad nauseum. Jennifer Garner's character is a mean-spirited nitwit, and yet A great premise is wasted on a script based on characters who, because they can't lie--are also idiots. The characters have no ability to govern their speech at all, and this singular gag gets replayed ad nauseum. Jennifer Garner's character is a mean-spirited nitwit, and yet Gervais tells her that she is the sweetest, most thoughtful woman he has ever met. Based on what? The only reason she won't have sex with him is because he has "fat" genes. Worse yet, the movie supposes that because no one can lie, there are no religions. You can see where that's going. The one church in the movie has a steeple and no cross, implying that Christ never lived, or that he did live and his being the messiah wasn't true and the lie was never spread. Either way, it paints all religions as being invented by liars. Pretty bold these days considering how tolerant Muslims are with people who cast doubt on their faith. End result--not nearly as funny as it could be, and fairly insulting to anyone of faith to takes the time to connect the dots and catch the atheistic implications.… Expand

0 of 1 users found this helpful

sgjdfsofisjgs

Oct 3, 2009

This movie pisses me off, why is it ok for atheists and jews to make fun of us Christians but not the other way around. This movie was not funny at all and it was a dry plot throughout. Catholics and Christians need to wake up and realize that Hollywood hate us and trying to slowly This movie pisses me off, why is it ok for atheists and jews to make fun of us Christians but not the other way around. This movie was not funny at all and it was a dry plot throughout. Catholics and Christians need to wake up and realize that Hollywood hate us and trying to slowly brainwash and change our beliefs. I hope the ones that make fun of us burn in hell.… Expand

0 of 2 users found this helpful

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