The Invention of LyingSynopsis and Overview

Poster art for "The Invention of Lying."

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Showtimes + Tickets
  • The Invention of Lying
  • Opened October 2, 2009 | Runtime:1 hr. 39 min.
  • PG-13
    language including some sexual material and a drug reference
  • Information for parents: Common Sense Media says Iffy for 14+. Read More
  • A man named Mark (Ricky Gervais ) lives in an alternate reality in which lying doesn’t exist. Everyone tells the truth and only the truth. In a world where everyone is blunt and truthfully honest, Mark discovers the concept of lying. With the ability Read More
  • Cast: Ricky Gervais, Jennifer Garner, Louis C.K., Rob Lowe, Jonah Hill
  • Director: Ricky Gervais
  • Genres: Romantic Comedy, Fantasy Comedy, Comedy

The Invention of Lying Movie Photos & Trailers + Clips

The Invention of Lying Featured Trailers + Video Clips

The Invention of Lying Recent Fan Reviews

  • Must Go!

    Absolutely don't let bad apples ruin it for you

    by gim73

    There is alot of hate being written about this great movie. Mostly religious folk are upset because in a world without any fiction whatsoever, religions can't be started. This is a clever movie that touches on human nature, and the relationship between truth and cruelty. This movie just really connected with me as something that everyone should see. I enjoyed that the initial premise that the world is completely without lies stays true (with the exception of the main character) and nobody else is able to 'grasp' the concept of lying. This of course makes many scenes seem very uncomfortable to people who are used to 'white lies' and 'pleasant untruths'. The ads make this movie look like he abuses the power of lies and it corrupts him, but the actual movie goes the opposite direction. Don't bring close minded people to see it, because they simply won't understand it.

  • Oh No!

    Religious commentary parading as a comedy--waste of time and money

    I went to this movie expecting something more along the lines of Liar, Liar--just straight up comedy. I hardly expected it to turn into a tirade mocking Christianity. As a Christian, I generally just steer clear of things that may offend me and let others say and view what they want. However, the ads for this movie completely mask the fact that the biggest lie the movie focuses on is the concept of religion. I am absolutely disappointed and angry that someone would market something so one-sided and offensive as a comedy as a means to get a bigger audience.

  • Go

    Clever, Funny, good date movie

    Many of the negative reviews of this movie need to be written off because they're reactions from those who cannot handle that the movie takes on religion as a lie. If you realize this is just a movie and look past that, or you're agnostic then this is a movie to be enjoyed. It's a brilliant concept,a clever script and the movie has very funny moments, especailly in scenes with surprise cameos by Jason Bateman, Edward Norton and Philip Seymour Hoffman. Honesty in advertising, business names and making excuses all made for good laughs. I felt the movie came up a bit short in that "honest" people were played up to be naive beyond that of a 3 year old. I also thin k that the script could have found humor and humanity if it had spent a little more time looking at the differnt types of lies and really drove home the point that ultimately we can't lie to ourselves and get away with it. Thumbs up

The Invention of Lying Critic Reviews

So-so Avg. Critic Score out of 100 Metascore ® based on all critic ratings.

Critic scores range from 0 to 100, with higher scores indicating more favorable reviews.

  • 88
    Chicago Sun-Times | Roger Ebert

    In its amiable, quiet, PG-13 way, The Invention of Lying is a remarkably...

  • 83
    Entertainment Weekly | Lisa Schwarzbaum

    The performances are razor sharp. And the ideas in this movie are, no kidding,...

  • 80
    The Hollywood Reporter | Michael Rechtshaffen

    Gervais and Robinson take what might have been a cute concept comedy and...

  • 75
    San Francisco Chronicle | Mick LaSalle

    Ricky Gervais, instead of resting on formula and on a familiar persona, uses...

The Invention of Lying Movie Ratings + Reviews

Fans say

So-so 1,045 fan reviews

Critics say

So-so See all critic reviews

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