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The Invention of Lying (2009)
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Following the lukewarm reception for Ghost Town in 2008, Ricky Gervais applies his low-key brand of comedy to another high-concept Hollywood movie, only this time he co-writes and co-directs for the first time. The award-winning comedian stars as mild-mannered scriptwriter Mark Bellison, whose life trundles along in a world where lying has not yet been invented. However, people are not only unable to lie, they suffer from verbal diarrhoea, too. This allows for a stream of easy gags — Mark's date with love interest Anna (Jennifer Garner) is a masterclass in excruciating embarrassment — which start to pile up until the moment when Mark's newfound ability to spin a yarn elevates him to godlike status. The story becomes more convoluted, but Gervais carries the film with apt assuredness and, as co-director, he allows a great supporting cast (including Rob Lowe, Tina Fey and Jonah Hill) to shine. It's not on the same level as TV gems like The Office or Extras, but it does provide some hilarious — and at times satirical — comic moments. SP
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Tell us what you think
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Running time
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99min
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Country of origin
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US
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Genre
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Comedy
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Alternate title
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This Side of the Truth
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Original language
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English
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Screenplay
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Ricky Gervais, Matthew Robinson
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Theatrical distributor
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Universal
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UK cinema certificate
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12A
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UK cinema release date
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October 2009
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Film certification logos reproduced by kind permission of BBFC |
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