‘Lying’ raises questions about what is true

CASEY PHILLIPS: As a philosophical premise, “The Invention of Lying” is interesting. As a movie, it’s hit or miss.

Writer/director Ricky Gervais plays Mark Bellison, a down-on-his-luck screenwriter in a world where everyone tells the truth. Idyllic, right? Wrong. In this world, movies are all bland historical narratives, social niceties are nonexistent, and there is no hope of an afterlife to reassure the elderly.

Gervais is perhaps best known for his starring role in the U.K. version of “The Office,” and his rapid-fire, stumbling dialogue is the main attraction. Despite Gervais’ brilliant delivery and amusing supporting actors (Tina Fey, Rob Lowe, Jonah Hill) and cameos (Jason Bateman, Edward Norton and others), the film is as much a commentary on religion and the positive power of lies as it is a comedy.

HOLLY LEBER: It’s an interesting movie, but less for the idea of a world with no deceit and more for the examination of both the benefit and incredulity of religion. Gervais has said he is an atheist, but to call this movie atheist propaganda would be a kneejerk reaction. It’s a critique of blind faith, yes, but not of faith itself.

In the world without lying, people are unable not only to tell falsehoods, but to keep any thoughts to themselves. There are no platitudes or niceties, which lead to some of the films funnier moments, like Jennifer Garner greeting blind date Gervais with a rather personal announcement, or a headstone with the words “She lived an average life for a woman of her years.”

CASEY: In terms of hypothetical, “if I was omnipotent for a day” scenarios, the movie is spot on. Bellison cleans up at the casino and, in the Holy Grail of lies, gets attractive women to sleep with him by convincing them the world will end if they don’t. Oh, and he also does some good by reassuring the hopeless and downtrodden.

The problems begin when the movie shifts tone after Bellison inadvertently gives birth to religion by telling a whopper of a lie to ease his dying mother’s mind. The laughs slow a bit at this point, but if you’re willing to accept a decrease in humor, these late-film scenes provide an compelling look at the positive effects of deceit on a less-than-grand scale.

HOLLY: Yes, the movie becomes less funny when Bellison conjures up the notion of “the man in the sky,” but it also becomes more grounded. A world where no one can lie is interesting and amusing. But take it further and directly address the notion of religious beliefs being an example of “because I said so,” and the movie becomes a catalyst for discussion. Sure, some people will see the questions as sacrilege, but that’s the point now, isn’t it?

CASEY: No lie.