2 stars
I must say I'm rather disappointed by Ricky Gervais’ lacklustre directorial debut.
There are only so many mistakes a comedian can make before they lose momentum and fade sadly away. How far along this path of mediocrity they may tread without causing permanent career damage depends on the heights their previous work has reached. Luckily for Ricky Gervais, the first phase of his career was an unblemished period of comedy genius, giving us two of the best sitcoms of the century. And now, as he stumbles through the Hollywood phase of his career, he is beginning to run out of good will. This poor film serves only to deepen my sense of disillusionment.
After his supporting role in Night at the Museum was followed by the lead in the enormously cheesy rom-com Ghost Town, Gervais needed this one to be at least a solid comedic effort. It is not.
The premise of The Invention of Lying, as you might infer from the title, is that there is a world where the concept of lying does not exist. As such, Mark Bellison (Gervais) suffers constant jibes about being fat and small from brutally honest associates. The idea of a completely truthful society is executed well at times, with the occasional funny moment. However, the main joke is pretty familiar territory: Gervais sits there looking uncomfortable whilst other people describe how unattractive they find him, or how stupid he looks. This particular joke persists throughout, and gets tiresome rather quickly.
Plot comes in the way of a flimsy romance story between Gervais and the glamorous Anna (Jennifer Garner). This, however, is entirely dull and does little to provide warmth or comedy.
One scene in particular kills the film off completely. You’ll know it when it comes because it is unforgivably corny. Much of our investment in the film hinges on that scene and it’s just disastrously poor. Gervais, talented comedian as he is, is not a believable serious actor, or at least not yet.
The most entertaining thing about this film is genuinely the cameos. Rob Lowe and Jonah Hill are integral members of the supporting cast who help to keep the film alive, whilst Philip Seymour-Hoffman and Ed Norton’s more subtle appearances are enjoyable distractions. Shaun Williamson and Stephen Merchant are given a token few seconds and though they deliver their lines well, their appearance is a pointless indulgence.
There are only so many mistakes a comedian can make before they lose momentum and fade sadly away. How far along this path of mediocrity they may tread without causing permanent career damage depends on the heights their previous work has reached.
Luckily for Ricky Gervais, the first phase of his career was an unblemished period of comedy genius, giving us two of the best sitcoms of the century. And now, as he stumbles through the Hollywood phase of his career, he is beginning to run out of good will. This poor film serves only to deepen my sense of disillusionment.
After his supporting role in Night at the Museum was followed by the lead in the enormously cheesy rom-com Ghost Town, Gervais needed this one to be at least a solid comedic effort. It is not.
The premise of The Invention of Lying, as you might infer from the title, is that there is a world where the concept of lying does not exist. As such, Mark Bellison (Gervais) suffers constant jibes about being fat and small from brutally honest associates. The idea of a completely truthful society is interesting and sometimes funny. However, the main joke is pretty familiar territory: Gervais sits there looking uncomfortable whilst other people describe how unattractive they find him, or how stupid he looks. This particular joke persists throughout, and gets tiresome rather quickly.
Plot comes in the way of a flimsy romance story between Gervais and the glamorous Anna (Jennifer Garner). This, however, is entirely dull and does little to provide warmth or comedy.
One scene in particular kills the film off completely. You’ll know it when it comes because it is unforgivably corny. Much of our investment in the film hinges on that scene and it’s just disastrously poor. Gervais, talented comedian as he is, is not a believable serious actor; at least not yet.
The most entertaining thing about this film is perhaps the cameos. Rob Lowe and Jonah Hill are integral members of the supporting cast who help to keep the film serviceable, whilst Philip Seymour-Hoffman and Ed Norton’s more subtle appearances are enjoyable distractions. Shaun Williamson and Stephen Merchant are given a token few seconds and though they deliver their lines well, their appearance is a pointless indulgence.
What Gervais does next in Hollywood is vital. Another duff, bland attempt like this will surely kill off his movie credentials. Cemetery Junction, a genuine collaboration with Merchant out next year, will hopefully prove a return to form. If it does not, Gervais may not get another chance.
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