The Invention of Lying Reviews
Quickflix
While there is nothing wrong with a comedy engaging in religious satire, neither Gervais nor Robinson seems willing to take on the topic thoughtfully.
Full Review
| Original Score: 3/5
Top CriticThe Invention of Lying feels a little too much like a wasted opportunity.
Full Review
| Original Score: 2.5/4
MSNBC
There are a few funny bits sprinkled throughout, but the premise of the movie never goes anywhere particularly interesting, even with the potentially outrageous subplot regarding religion as an outgrowth of chicanery.
Full Review
| Original Score: 2/5
Mr. Gervais's long-established gift for small-screen comedy goes terribly slack, leaving him likable, as always, but, on the big screen, looking lost.
sbs.com.au
A high-concept, laugh-free over-indulgence that blows up terribly in the face of its smug star.
ReelTalk Movie Reviews
Ultimately, the atheist gospel according to Ricky Gervais is too preachy for its own good.
Examiner.com
The star cameos in The Invention of Lying are non-stop, distracting, and always blatantly pointed out as if this were a Cannonball Run sequel.
Filmstar Magazine
The simple truth is, any comedian could take Gervais' place in the film, and you probably wouldn't notice. For a comic who likes to put his fingerprints on everything he does, it feels like he's playing it safe.
Full Review
| Original Score: 3/5
Daily Express
It's a high-concept twist too far: in Liar Liar and Groundhog Day, the worlds themselves were believable; whereas here the world (explained via a cumbersome opening voiceover) is simply too far-fetched and therefore lacks resonance.
Indie Movies Online
The invention of The Invention of Lying is delicious. But a few false moves along the way drag down what could have been a brilliant flight of fancy
Full Review
| Original Score: 5.5/10
There's no doubting that this is one comic who can really act. But maybe Gervais should leave the directing to someone who knows how to tell funny stories on film, if such a talent can be found these days.
Full Review
| Original Score: 2/5
Entertainment Spectrum
Pushing the envelope with many jokes and original ideas it could have been a masterpiece, but turning it into a romantic comedy and starring Gervais does not make that true.
Full Review
| Original Score: 2/5
SFX Magazine
Gervais is an expert at creating half-hour sitcoms, but not so adept when it comes to 90-minute pieces that place more emphasis on pathos and drama.
Full Review
| Original Score: 3/5
NYC Movie Guru
An initially funny comedy with an intriguing, amusing premise that quickly runs of out steam and ends up banal, unimaginative, silly and forgettable.
Full Review
| Original Score: 5.25/10
St. Paul Pioneer Press
Given the boldness of the topic, it's surprising how bland and toothless Invention is.
News of the World
Fact: There's good Gervais and bad Gervais. And this is him at his pompous worst - preachy, one-note and obsessed with smug celeb cameos.
Full Review
| Original Score: 2/5
Cinematical
...an extended sketch from a comedy show that outlasts its entertainment value long before the movie ends.
[It] does have its moments -- most of them courtesy of Gervais and his very specific brand of self-deprecating, always equivocating comedy -- just not nearly enough of them.
Full Review
| Original Score: 2.5/5
