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Amazon.co.uk Review
It's official: Ricky Gervais is a genius. He may not have cured cancer or discovered a new branch of mathematics, but having created The Office, Extras, and now The Invention of Lying has secured him a place in the history of comedy. The Invention of Lying imagines a world in which everyone unfailingly tells the truth; they don't even know what fiction is. Every thought, however humiliating or harsh, tumbles out unvarnished. Then one day, a desperate unemployed writer named Mark (Gervais) concocts a lie--and in a world where everyone is unfailingly honest, a lie is believed with total and absolute gullibility. Mark can get anything he wants...but the one thing he truly wants is the love of a girl named Anna (Jennifer Garner, Alias, Juno), and she's the one person he can't bring himself to lie to.
The Invention of Lying balances a brilliant overall idea with inspired comic bits and deft cameo turns by a star-studded cast (among the many famous faces in bit roles are Philip Seymour Hoffman, Edward Norton, Jason Bateman, Christopher Guest, Tina Fey, Jeffrey Tambor, and more). The second half of the movie, which follows Mark's romantic pursuit of Anna, isn't quite as marvelous as the gradual unfolding of the situation and Mark's grappling with his strange new ability, but that doesn't keep the movie from being a unique and dazzling comedy. Simply not to be missed. Also featuring comedian Louis C.K., Rob Lowe, and Jonah Hill. --Bret Fetzer
Product Description
Ricky Gervais, Matthew RobinsonDirector: Ricky Gervais
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
No hidden agendas here - this film is, quite simply, very funny.
It does wear its atheist heart on its sleeve, and it seems some people have a problem with this - who would have thought? Unfortunately, genuine criticism becomes conflated with religious outrage, resulting in reviews that are little more than rants. I've even read one review here which exhorts those who have given positive reviews to retract them. That, if nothing else, should move you to watch this film.
It does wear its atheist heart on its sleeve, and it seems some people have a problem with this - who would have thought? Unfortunately, genuine criticism becomes conflated with religious outrage, resulting in reviews that are little more than rants. I've even read one review here which exhorts those who have given positive reviews to retract them. That, if nothing else, should move you to watch this film.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
While at times this film is genuinely funny, the overall plot is far too contrived and sentimental. Ricky is not convincing in the romantic sub-plot, which, while clearly essential to the story, still somehow manages to feel unnecessary. The religious angle doesn't bother me personally but may make some feel uncomfortable or even offended. Not Mr Gervais' most successful appearance to date.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
In the book The Atheist's Guide to Christmas, David Baddiel does a chapter on how there has never been an Atheist movie. He has a point as it is difficult to plot a fictional film, without some kind of 'epiphany' moment and, as this film demonstrates, good stories require imagination and, ultimately, lying.
This film dispenses with the need for a religious epiphany by making the epiphany instead into the discovery of lying and the ability to flatter others. There is also a sub plot where Gervais introduces the idea of eternal life and 'the man in the sky' to the truth loving people of planet Earth, who believe him because no-one has ever told a lie.
On top of this, this film has that rare quality of being an atheist comedy, being as it makes the idea of atheism being the truth into one of the key aspects of its humour.
Of course, there is much more to the film than just a narrow view-point on the world and it only struck me at the end of the film that it had this subtext.
Still, if you want to see a true world first - a movie (not a documentary) that tactfully deals with all things skeptical, then get DVD as it will also teach you why such beliefs will never be popular, no matter how true they are...
This film dispenses with the need for a religious epiphany by making the epiphany instead into the discovery of lying and the ability to flatter others. There is also a sub plot where Gervais introduces the idea of eternal life and 'the man in the sky' to the truth loving people of planet Earth, who believe him because no-one has ever told a lie.
On top of this, this film has that rare quality of being an atheist comedy, being as it makes the idea of atheism being the truth into one of the key aspects of its humour.
Of course, there is much more to the film than just a narrow view-point on the world and it only struck me at the end of the film that it had this subtext.
Still, if you want to see a true world first - a movie (not a documentary) that tactfully deals with all things skeptical, then get DVD as it will also teach you why such beliefs will never be popular, no matter how true they are...
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Not as bad as you may think.. Here is why:
So it wasn't a great movie but it was enjoyable. The message was loud and clear but many times it failed to deliver. Read more
Published 1 day ago by Kloklo
Dull and inconsistent - more effort with appearance than ideas
Most of the reviewers here have missed part of the point: the scene-setting was intended to say the film's set in an alternative world, in which lying had never been discovered -... Read more
Published 3 months ago by Rerevisionist
WORST FILM
Not funny, not entertaining, not interesting, not ricky garvais in his usual form. DO NOT EVER BUY THIS MOVIE... Read more
Published 4 months ago by Anon:)
Weak comedy
Very disappointed by the whole experience. Such a talented comedian but a really weak film. Certainly not worth a second play. will sell as soon as possible!
Published 4 months ago by Disco30
Stick to TV, Ricky
I must admit I was quite surprised to see the amount of controversy that this film seems to have attracted. Read more
Published 5 months ago by Keith M
Flaw in the story!!
In the film, Gervais works as a screen-writer for a movie company.
They can only produce films that detail actual historical events. Read more
They can only produce films that detail actual historical events. Read more
Published 9 months ago by Random Frecklestencil
The Invention of Lying, or Atheism for Dummies
I will start this review by saying I am a big fan of Ricky Gervais - The Office, Extras, Gervais' stand up shows (Animals/Politics/Fame), The Ricky Gervais Show. Read more
Published 9 months ago by C. Smith
good start but....
I expected it to be a bit more ambitious. But it turned out to be a silly movie, silly plot. Would not recommend.
Published 11 months ago by B. C. Matheus
WILL CRACK YOU UP!
THE INVENTION OF LYING is an absolutely outrageously witty, original and well acted comedy that will, as my title says, crack you up! I loved the originality of it! Read more
Published 13 months ago by G. Stephenson
not very good
NOT a very good film , very basic , child like story line that no ones lies then Ricky G hits apon the idea. On the plus site I think I did smile once.
Published 14 months ago by olly
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