Review of The Invention of Lying (2009) by Theodore H — 07 Mar 2014

This is an ok film with decent performances from Ricky Gervais and Jennifer Garner. The concept of the film is really interesting and unusual. The Invention of Lying is about a world where lying doesn't exist and people can only tell the truth. I don't know if that's a good or bad thing, still it gives you a lot to think about. Ricky Gervais plays Mark Bellison, a nice guy who isn't very successful; he's about to be fired from work, evicted from his apartment and he's rejected by the women he's in love with, Anna (Jennifer Garner). However Mark's life is turned around when out of desperation he tells a lie; he discovers that he is the only person in the world who can lie. He begins to use his new talent to his advantage, but he also decides to use it for a good cause.

It's certainly an interesting film which gives you a lot to think about though it's a bit ludicrous at the same time. Though you have to wonder; what would a world without being able to lie be like? Would it be a good or bad thing? The films also brings a lot of religious and moral issues into the mix. Mark tells his dying mother that she will be very happy in her afterlife and go to heaven; his proclamation about what happens after death receives worldwide attention and Mark becomes a celebrity overnight. I don't really get why religion is brought into the film and it's confusing whether the concept of God and heaven was out there already or if Mark made it up. Living in a world where lying doesn't exist means that people definitely don't have a sense of humour and everything is taken so literally. A world of only truth is certainly a very brutal one as it's portrayed in the film.

Although I liked the cast and there were likeable performances, the romance part was a bit unbelievable and constantly forced. Mark keeps chasing Anna, but she keeps rejecting him because she isn't attracted to him and constantly says how she doesn't want "fat kids with snub noses." It's a bit predictable how the hero gets the girl at the end. Nevertheless Mark and Anna have a good connection, even if the romantic chemistry lacks a bit. All in all this is a likeable film, though it has its flaws. I do think that the film takes itself a bit too literally. It doesn't really highlight the benefits and weaknesses of lying and telling that truth all that clearly, it's a bit unrealistic. It's a bit hard to link it to reality as we live in a world of lies and the film doesn't really show whether telling the truth would make the world a better place; it's kind of the opposite as you wouldn't expect lying to make the world a better place. Still worth a watch though.

Grade: B-/C+.