The Invention of Lying

[andrews]

The Invention of Lying (Working Title: Other Side of the Truth) is an upcoming comedy film directed by Ricky Gervais and Matthew Robinson, from their own script. The film was originally being produced under the title This Side of the Truth, but Gervais announced on his blog in April 2009 that the title had indeed been changed, reversing a previous assertion he had made to the contrary several weeks earlier.

The film is set on an alternate Earth where no one has ever lied, and stars Gervais as a performer who tells the world's first lie, coming to wield its power for personal gain.

Gervais describes his character as someone who "works in the film industry, where actors are really readers who tell completely factual stories [...] he's lumbering through the 1300s. All he's got to work with is the Black Death. But once he lies and pretends he's found lost stories, he becomes the greatest storyteller in the world."

The film was financed by Media Rights Capital and started shooting in Lowell, Massachusetts in April 2008 (it also had location shoots in Quincy, MA, North Andover, MA, and Boston). The film completed principal photography in early June 2008, and is now in post-production. Warner Bros. owns the rights for the film's North American distribution, while Universal Pictures owns the rights to release the film outside of North America.


Cast
Ricky Gervais as Mark
Jennifer Garner as Jennifer
Rob Lowe as Rob
Louis C.K. as Greg
Jonah Hill as Frank
Christopher Guest as Nathan Goldfrappe
Tina Fey as Shelley
Jeffrey Tambor as Anthony
John Hodgman as Priest
Patrick Stewart as The Narrator
Jimmi Simpson as Bob
Fionnula Flanagan as Martha
Jason Bateman as Doctor (cameo)
Karl Pilkington as Caveman (cameo, cut from film)

General release: September 2009


Trailer 1:

Trailer 2:

[cellar_door]

Wow - what a witty idea for a film. Not one to 'jude a film by its trailer' but it did make me laugh. I might be alone, but Ghost Town I felt was disappointing.

But this sounds awesome!!!

[andrews]

We may see this one as a preview if we are lucky. I rather liked Ghost Town. It wasn't a laugh a minute, but there were some funny moments, and I thought Ricky Gervais was OK in the role of the dentist who could see and talk to ghosts.
I think he's had more input into writing this film. it will be interesting to see if he has the ability to do such a major task.

[andrews]

I saw this trailer today at Boldon. The audience were tittering in places, which was promising. It looks a gentle subtle comedy, very similar to Ghost Town. Ricky Gervais and Jonah Hill had some very good lines. I do hope we get some free screenings.

[AnneJ]

I saw the trailer for this a couple of weeks ago, it looks so funny and everyone was laughing, I'm definitely going to see this.

[Spanner]

is it just me that doesn't find ricky gervais funny? i particularly dislike the way he smiks at his own witticisms, coupled with the fact that he's ALWAYS on jonathan ross, I think he's over-hyped

[magicwings]

is it just me that doesn't find ricky gervais funny?

I agree... I haven't seen "Invention of Lying", but I think he personally ruined the whole of Ghost Town.

[a_person]

No it's me too Spanner - I agree with you.

[Spanner]

phew! I thought I was turning into a fuddy duddy!!!! that said i'll still go and see it if there's a free screening, cos I'm a bit of a cinema tart

[superhero]

I don't think Ricky Gervais funny at all, I went to see him do a standup routine at a charity show, he really wasn't funny at all, just poking fun at himself about how famous he is. However, I do find the concept of this film quite interesting, I guess abit like Truman Show or Groundhog Day. I really like those kind of films.