Friday, March 5, 2010

The Invention of Lying

I recently watched the Invention of Lying. I had high expectations when I saw that the cast included Ricky Gervais, Phillip Seymor Hoffman, Tina Fey, Justin Bateman, and Jeffrey Tambor. The movie takes place in a world where everyone always tells the truth. They express their fears, opinions, and insecurities openly. As you can imagine, you can have a field day with this premise in a comedy. At one point in the movie the main character discovers lying and we see how it empowers him in a world where trusting people believe everything he says.

This movie is a commentary on human nature. It had a drab feel to it like the Truman Show and most of the characters were pretty depressing. Despite several funny parts, I felt it was lacking something. I didn't buy Jennifer Garner's character or understand why the main character cared for such a shallow person who didn't recriprocate in their relationship.

The movie has some crude jokes, but I think people will be more offended by the way religion is portrayed in the movie. I felt a little disappointed that Gervais used the movie to mock religion. Maybe it's just because I am one of those gullible people who believe in "the man in the sky". I try not to take offense or get worked up over it since it's just a movie, but now I know how atheists feel when they complain about a Christian theme they weren't expecting in a movie.

I really liked the idea behind The Invention of Lying, and the performers were all good, but it could have been much funnier. I wanted it to be a better movie and I wish I could give it more than 6.4 stars.

4 comments:

russell jack said...

i wanted this movie to be funnier, too. it's too bad hollywood used it as a personal soapbox to poke fun at religious beliefs.

MikkSolo said...

Thanks,

I won't waste my time.

Anonymous said...

I too believe in "the man in the sky"...just watched the film with my husband..did not even know what it was about...read some feedback comments that were really just away to stand their ground or even say swear words on the internet(big deal)...I knew it was only a movie and in the beginning it was funny...but come on....sandles, long hair and beard...whoever wrote this wanted to get people riled up...for sure....it is all about wanting to say what you believe...and to the "man in the sky" keep my mansion warm and cozy!

Anonymous said...

I too believe in "the man in the sky"...just watched the film with my husband..did not even know what it was about...read some feedback comments that were really just away to stand their ground or even say swear words on the internet(big deal)...I knew it was only a movie and in the beginning it was funny...but come on....sandles, long hair and beard...whoever wrote this wanted to get people riled up...for sure....it is all about wanting to say what you believe...and to the "man in the sky" keep my mansion warm and cozy!

 
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