I liked this movie much more than I expected. I believe the low rating here and on IMDb is due to angry religious people that don't like the atheism concept thrown in their faces.
Plot is a little weird, but is good acted and directed. It is funny indeed. At least a 7 is well deserved.
In an era when original films are few and far in-between I thought The Invention of Lying was actually a pretty decently good film. Sure as a comedy it wasn't really hilarious but it had a good plot that was interesting and heartwarming and an excellent cast as well.
It was a pretty good idea, execution was okay, gave me a decent laughter. Would recommend, but don't expect an amazing movie.
This movie missed something, I got the point, and even as in other comments it has been spotted the difference between not lying and saying whatever cross your mind, I feel like the film didn't explored the concept deeply.
I liked how Ricky went for the jugular on the religion topic, I wasn't expecting it, but again I feel like could have been explored more.
I don't know, good concept but not fully well thought.
When I started watching it, I didn't knew this film was based on real events lol...
It was my first time watching this movie and the first thing that I thought was - what a cast! So many familiar faces, even if some of them were for only a small scene - Tambor, Bateman, Norton, Hill, Rob Lowe, Tija Fey, Jimmi Simpson (I loved him the first moment I saw him in House of cards, and then Westworld), Seymour Hoffman (RIP), Bobby Moynihan (I miss him since he left SNL). Second thing was seeing Louis in this. God, I wish he didn't do all the things he did, sad. Third that deathbed scene with his mom was really touching. Gervais gave us the chills by showing the death of her mother, but at the same time he gave us his views on religion in an underlying comedic sense. Watching this reminded me of all the Gervais stand-up specials that I have seen (mocking religion and God). It's a good movie if you are familiar with Gervais and his work.
At first glance you might think that this is just a repacking of a couple of the movies that Jim Carrey has done in his career. You'd be wrong. The movie is set in some kind of parallel universe where everyone says exactly what they are thinking regardless of the ramifications. Lying is a foreign concept. At some point Gervais is able to tell a lie to make someone feel better. The movie is amusing at first and there is a slow build. There is about 10 minutes where it is as funny as any film that I've seen in a long time. I can't give too much away. Gervais is following in the footsteps of Woody Allen here - he is taking a thinly-veiled shot at religious belief via satire. My only criticism of the movie is that Gervais didn't quite know how to end the movie. I think he had a fantastic idea but didn't quite know how to bring it home.
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This movie had a underlining message. Less than a week after someone invented lying religion is born. Basically what Ricky Gervais is saying is that all religions are a lie, i can't say he is wrong though ;). I would have thought that without religion the human race would have advanced much further than what is shown in this movie.
I liked the idea of what is supposed to be a movie in this movie. Some boring guy talking about the events that took place in history, and millions of people watch it in theaters like it is a Harry Potter movie. However the universe in witch this movie is placed seems very VERY boring to me. No tv shows, books, movies or computer games? I get the chills just thinking about it....
This is a good movie.
Ah looks like the protagonist isn't the only one that can lie.
Simply a must for everyone who loves Ricky, Louis CK and that bunch. Not much of a laughing out loud comedy but great ideas here. Great pic.
Loved this movie. Plenty of laughs and a good story - though predictable ending.
9/10
Solid concept, not so good ending. Underrated movie, overall.
As sexist as funny: mildly
Same film as "Invention of Lying".
As I was watching it I discovered its advantages and flaws as well. But the ending unfortunately made me realize it has been like an Adam Sandler feature film, just he was substituted by Ricky Gervais. In this movie Gervais is the thoughtful, kind, big-hearted guy, who is also a miserable loser, so nobody wants him. Moreover, he's fat with a snub nose, so he cannot compete with his rival, who's a handsome adonis.
And certainly, the dream girl choses the lovable fat guy over the good-looking dude just like any other awful romcom.
I like the idea of the movie and it's really interesting, but it would been better if people were telling the truth normally, most of them looked like robots talking. It was almost like they couldn't lie and they had no feeling at all. If the characthers told the truth like normal people, for me, it would been so much better.
BTW: I did not for one second believe that love connection between Ricky Gervais and Jennifer Garner. There was no chemistry between them whatsoever. In that aspect did the movie fail miserably. Enough to give it a weak sauce.
Refreshing movie, +1!
Shout by KBlockedParent2011-08-08T14:24:27Z
Normally I am a Ricky Gervais fan but I think he confused honesty with saying everything that pops into the character's head. The world created would have been much more believable and entertaining if they toned down the self monologue and focused on normal dialogue being brutally honest.