Ricky Gervais plus the title concept equals so much potential, but I was seriously let down. Such a concept could have and should have been so funny but instead this is a sadly mundane film with an awfully bland feel about about it--something to do with the look of it and particularly its musical score, which made me think I was designing a house in The Sims. As a huge Gervais fan, I tried and tried to like The Invention of Lying, but it was poisoned by that blandness and also clichéd heartfelt speeches.
I skimmed through the movie again today (having watched it last night) and gave it more respect after watching some of the funnier dialogue again, which Gervais delivered with his gift for comic tone and timing. He really did shine in this film (not only comically but emotionally: see scene where his character's Mum dies), so it's a shame everything around him was so far behind. The first time I watched this it barely made me laugh--although I was amused by this alternate world, one without lying, or even tact or euphemism. I'm not advocating anti-Americanism but I imagine The Invention of Lying would be sharper as a British film. 5/10
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