This fantasy takes place in an alternate reality where deceit, flattery and fiction do not exist. Everyone converses as if they have just sworn on a Bible before giving testimony in a courtroom. People are blunt and tactless with no secrets about how they are feeling.

After being fired from his job as a screenwriter and on the verge of eviction for non-payment of rent, Mark Bellison (Ricky Gervais from “Ghost Town” and BBC’s “The Office”) goes to the bank to withdraw his remaining funds. With the computer down, the cashier asks him how much is in his account. He comes up with the bright idea to inflate the amount. Since honesty is never questioned, the cashier believes him and hands over the loot.

The simple premise takes awhile to gel. It starts out humorous with many laugh-out-loud moments, but it turns serious when Mark offers words of comfort to his dying mother. He explains to her what happens after we die. These lies spread and get worldwide media attention.

This thought-provoking movie is full of philosophical musings about whether honesty is always the best policy. It has its heart in the right place as it postulates that sometimes it is better to tell people what they want to hear. The movie also makes points about not judging a book by its cover and that beauty is only skin deep. It touches upon racism, truth in advertising and deep-rooted misogyny.

Gervais, who also co-wrote and co-directed, is an admitted atheist. He offers a satirical alternative to the burning bush and the Ten Commandments. He talks about a higher power known as “the man in the sky” who controls everything. He reads the 10 rules of conduct that guarantee a wonderful eternal afterlife from the back of two pizza boxes. Some people may be offended by his cynical parody of God, religion and the afterlife.

Gervais has an easy-going and relaxed style of acting. He gains our sympathy as his character attains celebrity status after starting out as a “chubby, snub-nosed” loser. The beautiful Jennifer Garner (“Alias,” “13 Going on 30”) plays the romantic interest. She does a splendid job of taking her character from clueless gullibility to a knowing level of maturity. The supporting cast includes Jonah Hill (“Superbad”), Jeffrey Tambor (“Arrested Development”), Tina Fey (“Baby Mama,” “30 Rock”), Rob Lowe (“Brothers and Sisters”), Philip Seymour Hoffman (“Doubt,” “Capote”), Jason Bateman (“Arrested Development”) and Christopher Guest (“A Mighty Wind”).

The movie has a drab-looking picture quality and suffers from weak direction. The script is stretched a bit thin with more valleys than peaks, and the 100-minute running time seems longer. Comparisons can be drawn to the much funnier and more entertaining “Liar Liar” and “Yes Man” that both starred Jim Carrey.

Review By:
Keith Cohen "The Movie Guy"

Review Below By:
Jolene Mendez of JoReviews.com

1 out of 4 Stars

Mark Bellison (Ricky Gervais) is considered a loser in the World. He has just lost his job, found out he is hated and had the worse date of all time. In “The Invention of Lying”, Mark finds a loophole when he discovers he’s the one man who can lie in a world full of truths. Agenda one is to get money to pay his rent and hopefully become rich and successful enough to impress Anna McDoogles (Jennifer Garner). After a dreadful date with Anna, Mark finds himself infatuated by her.

Following his lies Mark becomes a powerful leader, with a never ending bank account, a beautiful best-friend, with a job he loves. When he feels that his misdeeds are threatened and he can’t have the woman he loves Mark becomes a hermit. Mark seldom leaves the house or cleans up, eventually becoming a Jesus lookalike. Trying to get Mark out of his funk is not easy; will he just fade away with his secrets of lies or step forward to win his girl?

“The Invention of Lying” had some very comical parts. The brutal honesty was hilarious and the script was an original idea. That aside there was too much romance in this film. Why we had to focus on a relationship between Mark and Anna is beyond me. The story had enough steam power, but when mixed with romance it just falls flat. I think with a different lead this comedy could have been stronger. Ricky Gervais can be humorous, but his dry humor is not what this film needed. Someone get Steve Carrell or Adam Sandler on set. Even with the multiple A list cameos the humor winds up bland. Pushing the envelope with many jokes and original ideas it could have been a masterpiece, but turning it into a romantic comedy and starring Gervais does not make that true.