"Gervais is the star... but the actual amusement stems from the supporting cast and the way the characters are refreshingly hilarious in that brutally honest way."

We would be lying if we said that Reading lad Ricky Gervais has finally struck film comedy gold with his latest offering, The Invention Of Lying, after the arguably funny Ghost Town. But we would also be lying if we said that we weren't thoroughly entertained by the very concept of a world where people say the absolute, cutting-to-the-bone truth because there are some wonderful silly moments in this deadpan feast of Python-esque-styled restaurant humour that will have you tittering away. ------

Gervais even manages to draw on a bit of David Brent's sleaziness as loser writer Mark Bellison to get the girl, trout-pouting Jennifer Garner as 'out-of-his-league' Anna. But this is where the film's direction becomes a tad confusing as it can't decide whether it's straight comedy or a romcom, whilst becoming entangled in religious/Deity symbolism, reminiscent of Carrey's Bruce Almighty. That said, Gervais is standard Gervais - you'll either love him or hate him. There is no middle ground. Gervais once more plays the bumbling, socially-awkward Englishman, dripping with sarcasm in defence, but forever mocking himself with references to 'short fat man' genetics that make it impossible for Anna to procreate with him. If this appeals - where you get to kick Ricky in character when he's down - then this is a must-see. If this is toe-curling to contemplate, perhaps, you would be wise to avoid. --------

In all fairness, most of the time, the actually laughs are provided by the highly impressive and enthusiastic supporting cast that shows Gervais' industry clout, including Garner,Louis C.K., Tina Fey, Jonah Hill and Rob Lowe as his arch rival in Anna's affections. Indeed, even the normally intense Ed Norton sends himself up as a cocaine-snorting, control-freak cop in one instant, as well as fellow Brits Stephen Merchant and Shaun Williamson featuring in a bizarre little flashback that is priceless. Gervais simply reacts to the talent around him. But the narrative does suffer from the occasional flat, soon-to-be-forgotten areas, probably where the direction is murkier, and is only bolstered by the Python-esque sketches that sometimes do not feature Gervais at all, namely the dinner date between Garner and Lowe. -------

Gervais is the star of The Invention of Lying, but the actual amusement stems from the supporting cast and the way the characters are refreshingly hilarious in that brutally honest way. Would we lie to you? We wouldn't know how to... -------

Synopsis -----

The Invention of Lying takes place in an alternate reality in which lying - even the concept of a lie - does not even exist. Everyone from politicians to advertisers, to the man and woman on the street speaks the truth and nothing but the truth with no thought of the consequences. But when a down-on-his-luck loser named Mark (Gervais) suddenly develops the ability to lie, he finds that dishonesty has its rewards. In a world where every word is assumed to be the absolute truth, Mark easily lies his way to fame and fortune. But lies have a way of spreading, and Mark begins to realise that things are getting a little out of control when some of his tallest tales are being taken as, well, gospel. With the entire world now hanging on his every word, there is only one thing Mark has not been able to lie his way into: the heart of the woman he loves. ---

Film Facts -----

Official site: http://www.theinventionoflying.co.uk/

UK Release Date: 2nd October 2009

Directors: Ricky Gervais, Matthew Robinson

Writers: Ricky Gervais, Matthew Robinson

Cast: Ricky Gervais ('Mark Bellison'), Jennifer Garner ('Anna McDoogles'), Jonah Hill ('Frank'), Louis C.K. ('Greg'), Rob Lowe ('Brad Kessler'), Tina Fey ('Shelley'), Fionnula Flanagan ('Martha Bellison'), Jeffrey Tambor ('Anthony'), Edward Norton ('Cop'), Stephen Merchant ('Man at the Door'), Shaun Williamson ('Richard Bellison')

Distributor: Universal Pictures UK

Certificate: 12A

Run-time: 99 mins

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