Official Synopsis
In an alternate reality where lying is physiologically impossible, Mark Bellison is a struggling screenwriter about to be evicted. One day, he discovers he can say things that aren't true. By inventing the lie, Mark gains fame and fortune, but his "superpower" becomes a burden when he tries to comfort his dying mother with a story about a happy afterlife, inadvertently starting a worldwide religious movement.
Cast & Crew
- Director: Ricky Gervais & Matthew Robinson
- Mark Bellison: Ricky Gervais
- Anna McDoogles: Jennifer Garner
- Brad Kessler: Rob Lowe
- Greg Kleinschmidt: Louis C.K.
- The "Man in the Sky": Edward Norton (Cameo)
- Doctor: Jason Bateman (Cameo)
- Barman: Philip Seymour Hoffman (Cameo)
- Martha Bellison: Fionnula Flanagan
- Screenplay: Ricky Gervais
High-Concept Humour & The Gervais Agenda
Released at the peak of Ricky Gervais’ global popularity, fueled by the success of The Office and Extras, The Invention of Lying was clearly built as a vehicle for his specific brand of awkward, high concept comedy. For the first half, it’s a fun diversion. Watching his character navigate the "superpower" of lying to get bank money or romantic success is genuinely amusing and hits that comedic sweet spot.
However, the film takes a noticeably dark and sobering turn when Mark lies to his dying parent about an afterlife to ease her fear. This shift isn't just a plot point; it’s a vehicle for Gervais’ well-known atheist views. While he clearly wanted to make a philosophical point, the execution felt heavy-handed for many, potentially turning off a large segment of the audience who signed up for a lighthearted rom-com.
It’s debatable if he "learned his lesson," but comparing this to his later series After Life shows a massive evolution. In After Life, he revisits themes of mortality and the lack of a "man in the sky" with far more empathy and poignancy. There, the dark humor feels earned because it’s balanced with the fragility of life, something Invention lacked. Ultimately, this film is a fun watch for its first half, but it serves more as a precursor to the better work he would produce later.
Official Trailer
🤥 Truthful Facts
- The Original Title: The film was originally titled This Side of the Truth before being changed to the more direct The Invention of Lying.
- Cameo Heaven: Keep an eye out for blink-and-you-miss-it appearances by Edward Norton, Jason Bateman, and Philip Seymour Hoffman, who all did the film as favors for Gervais.
- Pepsi vs. Coke: Because the world has no lies, advertisements are brutally honest. The Pepsi ad in the film simply says: "Pepsi. For when they don't have Coke."
- The Script: Ricky Gervais wrote the entire first draft in just two weeks, channeling his own experiences with the "brutal honesty" of the British comedy scene.
This entire trailer is pure genius. I knew I wanted to see it based on Gervais' involvement and the epic, EPIC cast...but I was still pleasantly surprised by this first look. Can't wait.
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