The Invention of Lying

The Invention of Lying takes place in an alternative world where nobody can say anything untrue; every thought, however blunt or hurtful, comes out unfiltered. Mark Bellison is a failing screenwriter whose life is going badly when he discovers something no one else has ever done: he can say things that are not so. Realising that everyone around him accepts whatever he tells them, he starts using this ability to improve his situation, and the consequences spread well beyond his own life. A romantic thread runs alongside, as Mark tries to win over Anna, a woman far above his station in this rigidly honest society.

Ricky Gervais directed and co-wrote the film with Matthew Robinson, and also stars as Mark. It is the first feature Gervais directed in the chronological list of his four films. The cast includes Jennifer Garner, Louis C.K., Rob Lowe, Jonah Hill and Jeffrey Tambor, with 75 credited cast members and 42 credited crew.

It was released in October 2009 and runs 100 minutes. Against a budget of 19 million US dollars, it took in 32 million worldwide, a modest return. On IMDb it holds 6.4/10 from 157,000 votes, and on TMDB 6.2/10 from 2,413 votes. The film critics' rating stands at 6.1/10 from 186 reviews, placing critics slightly below the general audience on IMDb.