Ricky Gervais & Matthew Robinson's THE INVENTION OF LYING

Review by Dennis D. McDonald

What a subversive little film this is. And sweet. And funny. And unexpected.

Gervais plays a sad little man in a pointless job in a world where lying has never existed. Things are very boring. Then he discovers he can lie.

What’s interesting is that Gervais does not take the story line in the direction of what we might have seen had a Jim Carrey or an Adam Sandler been involved. There are several points in the film where the story veers in an unexpected direction, unexpected since we’re so used to cheap laughs and a lack of thought. But this story is smart, and clever.

Things are aided immensely by a terrific ensemble cast. Jeffrey Tambor, Rob Lowe, and Tina Fey are all an hand to lend their talents.

But Jennifer Garner absolutely shines. I had no idea of her comedic talents, having been smitten with her early on in Daredevil. She creates an oddly attractive professional woman who makes no bones about the fact that her ideal man will contribute ideal genetic material to the relationship, and Gervais’ character is definitely not that man, as she repeatedly points out.

My only disappointment: the DVD, rented from Netflix, had abolutely no extras and lacked even chapter divisions.

Review copyright (c) 2010 by Dennis D. McDonald