The Invention of Lying (2009)
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In a world where everyone is forced to be honest, one man discovers the revolutionary power of a lie.
The story
In an alternative reality where lying does not exist and people are completely straightforward, screenwriter Mark Bellison lives a lackluster life. While on a date with the wealthy Anna McDoogles, he learns she is only with him as a favor to a friend. After being fired from his job and facing eviction, Mark has a sudden epiphany that allows him to utter the world's first lie. He begins using this new ability for personal gain, eventually becoming wealthy and famous. However, Mark soon realizes that his ability to lie can also be used to help others and improve the lives of those around him.
Full plot (contains spoilers)
Set in a world where lying is non-existent, Mark Bellison is a struggling screenwriter who is told by his date, Anna McDoogles, that she is only with him out of pity for his friend Greg. After losing his job and facing eviction, Mark experiences an epiphany and tells his first lie: that he has $800 in his bank account. He begins using lies for personal gain, including breaking into a casino and writing a successful screenplay about aliens. He eventually uses his gift to help others, such as preventing his neighbor Frank from committing suicide and telling his dying mother that there is a joyful afterlife. Mark becomes a global sensation for his 'information' about a 'Man In The Sky.' Despite his fame, he remains devoted to Anna. When Anna becomes engaged to his rival, Brad Kessler, Mark objects at the wedding. After Anna chooses to leave Brad, Mark confesses his ability to lie to her. They eventually marry and have a son who appears to have inherited his father's ability to lie.
- First release year
- 2009
- Runtime (minutes)
- 100
- Production countries
- United States; United Kingdom
- Original languages
- English
- Directors
- Ricky Gervais; Matthew Robinson
- Writers
- Ricky Gervais · writer; Matthew Robinson · writer
- Cast and characters
- Ricky Gervais · Mark Bellison; Jennifer Garner · Anna McDoogles; Jonah Hill · Greg Kleinschmidt; Louis C.K. · Frank Fawcett; Jeffrey Tambor · Brad Kessler; Fionnula Flanagan · Martha; Rob Lowe; Tina Fey
- Genres
- romantic fantasy comedy; romantic comedy
- Themes
- honesty vs. deceit; truth; atheism; transcendence
- Tone and mood
- funny; melancholic; radical
- Setting
- An alternative reality where lying does not exist.
- Premise and plot tags
- alternative reality; screenwriter; fantasy; comedy
- Source material / true-story basis
- A skit by Matthew Robinson about two people on a date who do not have the ability to lie.
- Content notes
- PG-13
- Reception
- The film received mixed reviews from critics, with a Rotten Tomatoes score of 56% and a Metacritic score of 58. It grossed $32.7 million against an $18.5 million budget.
- Reported review scores
- Rotten Tomatoes · score: 56% · review count: 188
- Production trivia
- The film was originally titled 'This Side of the Truth'.; The script was included in the 2007 official Black List of the 'most liked' un-produced scripts in Hollywood.; Shooting took place primarily in Lowell, Massachusetts.
Film metadata comes from the open sources listed in Credits & Contact. Catalogue details may be incomplete.
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