The Invention of Lying

In Ricky Gervais’s The Invention of Lying, Mark Bellison (played by Gervais) is a loser who lives in a world where no one is capable of lying. In fact, the concept has never even occurred to anyone, so people are frequently rude and offensive, simply because they speak their mind as honestly as they can. When Mark reaches the end of his rope financially and emotionally, he discovers lying as a possible solution to leave his losing ways and use his newfound success to land the girl of his dreams (Jennifer Garner).

The ClearPlay Factor

You can imagine that a world without the constraints of lying and, hence, tact, would have plenty of lewd and embarrassing talk, and you’d be right. The ClearPlayed version of The Invention of Lying removes about 25 instances of profanity, as well as discussions about lewd behavior and having sex. Perhaps more problematic for ClearPlay users is the thematic element in which a character invents heaven, hell and God, the implication being that these concepts are also lies.

But – truthfully – would you recommend The Invention of Lying?…

This movie is like the inverse of Liar Liar, but with less slapstick. I’m a big fan of Gervais, and there are some funny and thought-provoking bits in the movie, but overall, the conceit rings a bit false.

Marty Nabhan—ClearPlay “Would I Lie To You” Department

Rated PG-13 for language including some sexual material and a drug reference.; 99 min; Directed By Ricky Gervais and Matthew Robinson