Oct 7, 2009 Comments
Review: The Invention of Lying
There is more to The Invention of Lying than you’d expect, but not in a sensational way. Confused? Allow me to explain. A cursory viewing of the trailer led me to believe that this film would be yet another misfire — a decent premise wrapped up in a series of trite cliches. Underwhelming at best.
Yet, the vehicle was co-written by Ricky Gervais, so I bit. I’m glad I did.
With Invention…, Gervais is clearly borrowing from some of the territory Woody Allen cut his teeth on. Situational humor, satirical comedy, and the making of the socially aware funny. Sure, he even goes as far as borrowing the trademark Allen font for a very Woody-esque title card heavy opening to the film, but what unfolds is something uniquely Gervais — recklessly critical, yet deftly balanced.