Invention of Lying

It’s funny what happens when you bury yourself in stats, game logs and film review how you totally lose sight of the other things on the radar. My wife and I went out to catch a movie on Friday & just looked blankly at the board that read simply “Invention.” We finally asked the question and were told the full title. We couldn’t slap the money down on the table fast enough.

I admit to a predisposition for liking Ricky Gervais, and I was excited about the premise of this one. The first hour was replete with great one-liners and witty banter, and if I’m not mistaken, a lot of improvisation. Gervais’ everyman character, which he does better than anyone on the screen right now, is in a world of hurt – professionally, emotionally, romantically — and every other sense of the word. Jennifer Garner is quite good as his love interest. She plays off of the “truth” factor in this bizarro world and you sometimes feel queasy as Gervais asks her a question, fearful of what’s coming back.

I shan’t elaborate on plot, but you know the drill about the basic premise. The way Gervais brings along thoughts and more than a few discussions about “the big picture” is well played. Imagine a world where everyone’s a “straight shooter.”

Is that what John Lennon wrote about all those years ago?

I would excise part of the final cut as it stalls a bit, but overall, I like Gervais’ world view, and the wide array of cameros will keep you entertained.