Sorry for such a delay in the review for The Invention of Lying, but with exams and whatnot I have been really busy. I'm glad I finally found the time to get this done!
The film begins with an introduction narrated by Mark Bellison (Ricky Gervais) that explains the world in which we, as viewers, will be thrown into - one of sheer 'straightforwardness'. In this bazaar universe, the human race cannot help but tell the truth. This is not more evident than in the first character scene when we are introduced to Anna McDoogles (Jennifer Garner), who nonchalantly explains her annoyance with Mark being "too early" for their date, and that she had not finished "masturbating" yet. In excellent fashion, Ricky Gervais portrays an unsuccessful, sarcastic script writer who is down on his luck but everything changes when he's at the bank one afternoon. As the title foreshadows, this is when Mark Bellison discovers that he can tell a non-truth and for some reason, isn't questioned in the slightest.
Then, as most people would do, Mark Bellison takes his idea to the streets and tests his new discovery on the unsuspecting public, exercising his revelation to its fullest potential. "The world is going to end if we don't have sex right now!" - Bellison, to an attractive woman in her 40's who, to his surprise believes him and is willing to act upon his proposal. This is just another way the writers of the film (Ricky Gervais and Matthew Robinson) emphasize the 'bass ackwards' way of thinking in this alternative world.
Although much of the film focuses on Mark Bellison and the art of lying you are also introduced to some sub stories that are placed ever so carefully to tweek the viewer's interest. Brad Kessler (Rob Lowe) is one of Bellisons' colleagues, but really comes to life in his witty, degrading comments he flings at Ricky Gervais' character. Rob Lowe is truly amazing in his role - you've never seen him like this before! Anna McDoogle's (Garner) life is one of the strangest parts of the film. Her mother, who you only hear on the phone, demands perfection from her daughter every time they talk.
If you haven't gotten it by now I am huge fan of this film and recommend it to anyone who enjoys a great laugh. The script is written with pure genius, and allows everyone to dive head first into their roles - this really makes for a great movie! Ricky Gervais, as usual, plays his sarcastic, absolutely hilarious character and is even more impressive taking on writing, producing and even directing The Invention of Lying. Jennifer Garner reprises her dorky, oblivious character role from her role in 13 Going on 30 (2004), and ceases to amaze me with her multi-faceted abilities. Her stints on Alias and her role in The Kingdom showed us her 'hard- ass' side and further her career.
Overall, I love this movie! Definitely going to be buying it the day it comes out on DVD....
“It's the one thing I actively don't like: just being recognized.” - Ricky Gervais
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