acb 1769037:

Under normal circumstances I might have reviewed this DVD, but when NF implemented the new DVD page detail design they removed friends' ratings, top 10 lists and the ability to send movie notes. That made it harder for me and others to find movies we'll like. If you are reading this, please call NetfIix and ask them to give us the community features back. I apologize for this non-review.

Drewbson:

first 15 minutes are a great SNL skit after that.....boring. I would say that if a friend has it watch those first 15 minutes then give it back.

fuhr:

Much like Liar Liar, The Invention of Lying confuses not being able to lie with not being able to keep your thoughts to yourself. There also seems to be some confusion with always telling the truth and not having any emotions like anger or love for example. Doing whatever is told of you evidently goes hand in hand with it as well(someone says "let me talk to your mother", and because you always tell the truth you have to let them. Can't just say no? That isn't telling the truth?). Yes it's funny, and the movie wouldn't work without it, but still something that bothers me... and upsets my friends as I constantly point it out leading them to chastise me "you read too much into things", which is simply not true, but I digress. Now get passed those things and the film is quite funny (truth in advertising takes on a whole new meaning for Coke and Pepsi). Some serious laugh out loud funny moments from a VERY impressive supporting cast. Ed Norton, Louis CK (the man needs more work like this) and Jonah Hill steal their scenes which is tough to do with Ricky Gervais and his brilliant comedic timing. Now I can certainly understand the issue some took with the religious commentary the film takes. Personally I find it brilliant and unique take on religion, life after death, and the effect it has on people, both good and bad. Good, solid, funny film about finding what truly makes you happy. B

w00f:

In a parallel universe in which mankind has never evolved the ability to dissemble, a man in peril finds himself the only one capable of doing so. Because nobody can lie, nobody can conceive that others can do so, either. Ricky Gervais delivers a sometimes brilliant film that examines the role of deceit in our lives for the good or the bad. As his character applies his new-found ability to everything from getting money to artistic license to the invention of religion, we're forced to think about all the ways in which distorting the truth both harms and benefits us. The film's biggest flaw is that it reaches a crescendo too early when Gervais concocts religion to give hope to his dying mother, transforming him into a prophet who isn't quite up to the task of keeping his lies consistent. After that, the rest of the film focuses on his efforts to get the girl, as it were, and so seems rather tame in comparison. Replete with laugh-out-loud and deeply touching moments, "The Invention of Lying" is still a strong and intelligent film that deserves to be seen. One can only wonder, however, when the backlash against it will come from religious quarters.

kimcheese:

I've always enjoyed Ricky Gervais' humour and had fun watching this movie. It got a bit more boring towards the end, but overall it was an okay watch. I was disappointed, however, at the fact that there were no special features.

Jeremy Thomas:

Ricky Gervais's new film is not as funny as Ghost Town, his last starring role. However, this is not to say it doesn't have its charm. Featuring a intriguing if uneven script from Gervais and Matthew Robinson and some stellar performances from the cast, the movie is less funny than you might expect but more poignant as well. Gervais holds up very well as the everyman in the main role and despite some occasional detours that don't always work, the movie on the whole succeeds and makes one hope the actor's next role pushes him even further into the spotlight.

rmgebhardt:

First, the good parts: The religious commentary I found very funny. The cameos were great. Gervais, as usual, can do no wrong by me. There was some definitely some funny moments throughout. However, now the bads... for a high concept movie, they did a terrible job of world building around the concept. It was very superficially done. And the movie felt like two distinct halves. I'd go with a 3.5 rating if I could.

tntbaker1:

My actual rating is probably 2.5 stars. This movie has an interesting initial plot but that only gets you through about the first 30 minutes. Maybe I am just an optimist but I would think that you would run across at least one decent/happy person in your life. Everyone the main character encounters is rude and hateful. While I do think this would be true to some extent, I do not think every person would be the same. There are no exceptions in this movie. There are a few chuckle moments through the movie. Mostly depressing and a bit hard to get through. Cannot recommend a viewing/rental.

BlueVoid:

[2.5 Stars] With a film written by and starring Ricky Gervais and with a high concept plot, I had high expectations. The premise is brilliant. In a parallel world everything is pretty much the same, only no one knows how to lie. That is, until the day Gervais character discovers that he can say things that arent the truth, and his exploits of this new found ability. Its kind of the inverse Liar Liar. Its an interesting hook, but one that falls apart rather quickly. Initially there are some funny jokes riffing off the fact that everyone must be completely honest. This gets old fairly quickly however, and there isnt really all that much to stand on after these jokes go stale. Theres a constant battle of trying to make everything make sense in this reality where lying doesnt exist. While you can take a leap of faith and just go with the worlds reality, there are some conflicts in what makes sense in the world itself, and I constantly found myself questioning whether or not something constituted as a lie, or how someone could accidentally lie, etc. All of this could be forgiven if it was funny enough, but while it was mildly amusing, it really doesnt deliver. Towards the end it does take an interesting turn, where the issue of religion comes into play, and how Gervais invents God with a lie. It brings under scrutiny all religion and parodies it at the same time. While I liked that the film took this turn, it felt a bit out of place and it spent way to much time on it. It felt drawn out and tedious rather than funny or thought provoking. The film completely ran out of steam about half way through and just never really went anywhere. I came away with a general sense of contentment but it wasnt anything memorable or even mindlessly funny.

BunnyKing:

Long story short, this was fine to watch but I wouldn't recommend it to anyone. I was unimpressed and disappointed by the extremely dry humor and the lack of cleverness. I rated this higher than a 2 because I think the movie has some higher points worth chuckling, and there are some pretty good actors that make brief apperances, but as far as I'm concerned, this was more or less a flop. The whole not-lying gag ran dry after the first 30 minutes, and the whole religion-is-fake thing also ran dry shortly after it was introduced (I'm not even religious). I've seen plenty of clever anti-religious movies but this failed. 3 stars for effort but only deserves 2.

late nights:

Witty and entertaining, Gotta Love Ricky Gervais! Jennifer Garner comes off alittle stepford wifey but they are a good match here. A different take on the subject of the "man in the sky" If you like the actors in this film, you will enjoy it. A feel good movie, not necessarily thought provoking but sweet and smooth.

Supercords:

Really sharp and funny at times. It?s certainly a Ricky Gervais film, which means loads of dark, uncomfortable humor. The concept itself isn?t very original, except to the extreme extent that it is taken. It?s like "Yes Man", but with the whole world. Also, you don?t have to suffer through another terrible Jim Carrey performance. The extras on the Blu-Ray are a mixed bag. Rating: C+

Peter Olafson:

Liar Liar turned upside-down. In this world, everyone not only tells the brutal, unvarnished truth, but relates compulsively -every- unwelcome truth as it slithers across the transom of their minds. This stream of trivia does give this star-studded venture a sharply etched beginning -- Rob Lowe and Tina Fey have great moments here -- but it also clouds the concept just as we're getting used to it. (Someone needs to invent discretion.) At this stage, the movie is a little too busy to be truly funny and it's cast more with a view to hiding famous faces in plain sight than to making us titter. Finally, as though the filmmakers were ashamed of the very premise, someone couldn't resist going all moralistic and the film's turgid second half is consumed in trying to teach its characters Deep Life Lessons. Man, at least have enough faith in the integrity of your creation not to neuter the ending!

SamirR:

A good concept that just (unfortunately) runs out of steam. While the basic premise is that people do not lie -- this movie stretches it to encompass "people always say what is on their mind" and "no such think as love". It has its moments -- just not enough; might be better as a recurring sketch on a show than a full movie

An Exit Worth Taking:

This movie has its charm and as always Ricky Gervais is endearing and funny, but the initial humor (that of people being completely honest) starts to grind on you towards the end...

virgored:

TWO HAIKU REVIEW: Not super funny Except in a Huh? way a few good laughs, though Gervais plays same guy in every single movie like Vince Vaughns film twin?

Harry Badface:

Gervais is always funny, of course, and the script starts off really well with a concept loaded for insight, laughs and a huge payoff...which never comes. The performances are on par at best for most of the film. Talent like Tina Fey and Louis CK are never used to the best of their potential, while Jennifer Garner and Rob Lowe eat up a lot of space being pretty and vacuous. This, in the end, is the problem with the trite ending of the film, as well. Rather than attempt to make an honest difference in the world when he is given the ability to do so, Gervais' character simply uses this to get what he wants from it. And the movies expects the audience to root for him in this shallow, low-reaching underdog role, which his decisions never warrant. Decent but could have been so, so much more than cheap Christ imagery gags and the ending of every Happy Madison film. 2 1/2 stars.

bgammill:

I really like the anti-religious undertones of this movie, but I think they are sidestepped by a very awkward script. Instead of actually not being able to tell a lie, the actors portray people who are like robots that blurt out any thought that comes to their mind. I always enjoy Ricky Gervais' work.

metavida:

I wasn't sure if this movie was going to be hillarious or a complete bust. Turns out, even with a few awkward & predictable parts, it was pretty solid. I enjoyed it quite a bit. Also, unexpectedly, pretty much every supporting cast-member was a great actor: Tina Fey, Edward Norton, Philip Seymour Hoffman, John Hodgman, plus Jeffrey Tambor & Jason Bateman (George & Michael Bluth of Arrested Development fame). A fun thing even if they didn't have big roles.

JG 1707283:

This review is about the disc - it has about 8 or 9 previews that you cannot skip past - I hate that so I sent the movie back without watching it.