The invention of lying, 2009

The invention of lying, 2009
Director: Ricky Gervais
Cast: Ricky Gervais, Jennifer Garner
Genre: comedy



Shortly: A comedy set in a world where no one has ever lied, until a writer seizes the opportunity for personal gain.

Preps: no special. I got the hint that the movie could be good and that it embraces this unique idea of a world without lies.

Stage: home cinema


Reality: This is one of better movies I have seen lately. Just the idea, that there could be a world where everybody would tell the holy truth and it would be so common that they wouldn't even know the meaning of a lie, is pure and amazing. Imagine that. Really refreshing and yet, so cruel and mean in some ways.

The movie flow honors the spectator with a rollercoaster of funny sarcastic /or black - humour like scenes, where the complete truth in personal /business /any kind of relationships, common talks, or common daily routines, well, unleashing the complete honest truth, strikes in the centre of the spectator's heart. How else can you imagine meeting for instance, the new potential for boyfriend/girlfriend, and let him/her know at the first glance that the physical aspects he/she posesses, aren't worthy enough to have sex tonight. Or having a chit chat conversation with a neighbour that passes you by in the morning, when on a normal question (how are you) - when we normally say fine and leave it there, well, on this the neighbour tells you sincere he's really bad and that he's just been googling how can one strangle himself if he tries to kill himself by chance this evening.

The loop in the movie is set when the main character explores one simple lie. And series of following scenes just explode the meaning of lies in this perfect world.

There are some inspiring thoughts running through my mind when watching this. Telling the absolute truth in adverts is just amazing. Shown in the movie, you could just erase the complete advert industry. I mean, how many people really want to hear that for instance, coca cola really destroys your liver. Or that the anti wrinkle cream really doesn't work. Or that cats are addicted to Whiskas, and it's not really the taste they are after, but some thing the producers put inside the package.

Apart from showing where truth could be easily accepted, the movie also offers variety of chances, where also a lie creates something inspiring, but cannot be controlled and in the end, doesn't do any good. I think that in absolute the movie poses the idea that complete truth is not only necessary, but can come in various shapes. Why saying to a guy that he's the last person in the world to be with because of his ugliness - if you can say also that he's kind and open and this also is the absolute truth?

One of my favourite quotes at the beginning of a random date:
Anna McDoogles: I was just masturbating.
Mark Bellison: That... makes me think of your vagina


My personal rating: 9,0 (numerous satiric scenes, black humour, truly good perspective of sincerity. You will enjoy it a lot!)


p.s. IMDB peak: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1058017/