Imagine a world where lying doesn’t exist and people say everything that is on their minds (hurtful or not). Now imagine that it’s the basis of a movie written, co-directed and starring Ricky Gervais, the funny Brit behind the BBC shows The Office and Extras. Then add in the fact that Gervais’ character Mark can actually lie and people, naturally, believe everything he says (since lying doesn’t exist). Makes you smile just thinking about it, right?
Gervais, by all right, is a comedy genius. From his television shows, to his bit roles in films like Night at the Museum, to his stand-up routine – he genuinely makes me laugh. And The Invention of Lying will make you laugh. But for how long is the question. After the initial gag wears off, the idea gets stale fast (similar to the way Jim Carrey’s Liar, Liar did) and it tired me out early on. Gervais is so gung-ho at becoming famous in Hollywood that is seems he is abandoning the smart comedy that made him famous in the first place in order to put on a big show. And bigger is not always better.
Although the film has many issues, my main complaint is that it’s more about people who say everything on their mind than people who can’t lie (a waiter mentions that he had a sip of a drink he’s serving without ever being asked). This makes a huge difference in how the movie is presented and doesn’t work in many instances. It also gets totally ridiculous half-way in when Mark becomes a God-like figure from the lies he’s telling.
Jennifer Garner (who stars as the love interest Anna) was just as bad in this as she was in Ghosts of Girlfriends Past earlier this year (which is holding strong as the worst movie of 2009 in my books). Seems that she is not really giving it her all and is getting by on being cute alone. Sad, because after successful roles in Catch and Release and Juno, I thought she showed promise. Rob Lowe, Tina Fey, Louis C.K., and Jonah Hill help round out the cast while delivering most of the jokes and cameos by Phillip Seymour Hoffman, Ed Norton, Stephen Merchant (from The Office and Extras), and Martin Starr (as the aforementioned waiter) all make up for Garner’s lacklustre performance.
If it sounds like I’m being hard on The Invention of Lying, well maybe I am. I expected a lot more from the movie and Gervais himself and feel really let down. If this was a 30-minute television show it would be great, but as a feature film it doesn’t work.
** out of 5 stars
Rated PG-13
Cast: Ricky Gervais, Jennifer Garner, Louis C.K.
Directed by: Ricky Gervais and Matthew Robinson
Official Site IMDb
