On CLIPS In October, 2009
THE INVENTION OF LYING

A man (Ricky Gervais) learns to lie while only the truth is known to everyone around him.

TRIVIA: In which BBC television series did Ricky Gervais play a character named David Brent?

Unlucky screenwriter Mark Bellison (Ricky Gervais) lives in a world where only the truth is told. Desperate for money after losing his job, this affable loser discovers an entirely new concept: lying. His ability to lie brings him wealth and fame, but he can't win the heart of true love Anna (Jennifer Garner). "The Invention Of Lying" is flat-out funny for the first half of the movie. Then Divine Intervention sets in with discussions about the Afterlife and "the Man in the Sky". The plot takes a nosedive and the laughs disappear. Maybe this is because there are two directors: Ricky Gervais and Matthew Robinson. Both are also credited with the screenplay. The best parts have that distinct Gervais touch. It is obvious that the main charm of this film is Ricky. But he gets help from some talented friends like Louis C.K., Jonah Hill, Jeffrey Tambor, Tina Fey, Jason Bateman, Christopher Guest and Philip Seymour Hoffman. Jennifer Garner is delightful - even when she can't lie. Rob Lowe has the nasty job of playing Brad Kessler, Mark's rival in love and work. A happy ending brings back a couple of chuckles - making this comedy a little more than half good. To tell the truth, "The Invention Of Lying" isn't half bad. Well ... maybe.