The Invention of Lying
2009 · Directed by Ricky Gervais, Matthew Robinson
Original language: English
- comedy
- fantasy
- romance
The story
Set in a world where the concept of lying doesn't exist, a loser changes his lot when he invents lying and uses it to get ahead.
What it’s like
Bright, flat, overexposed daylight over a mundane present-day-ish city where everyone looks slightly unvarnished: the palette is beige offices, drab apartments and plain suburban streets, shot in straightforward, mostly static medium frames that let the dialogue land without much visual flourish. Its sound is chatty and unadorned, with conversational banter and a light, bouncy score that keeps the mood breezy rather than moody. The vibe is wry, warm and a little awkward, a low-key romcom with a rueful edge, well suited to a lazy weekend afternoon, a comfort rewatch, or something to put on when you want to laugh without thinking hard. Pacing is brisk and talky, and the emotional register stays light, following a dejected, self-deprecating man who slowly learns that kindness and nerve matter more than being liked. Intensity is mild: some crude jokes and sexual references, a few uncomfortable moments and a brief sense of social embarrassment, with no real violence or gore and little real fear. It is for people who like sharp, satirical comedy about honesty, religion and status, delivered with an easy, approachable sense of humour.
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