The Invention of Lying (2009)

Storyline

It's a world where everyone tells the truth - and just about anything they're thinking. Mark Bellison is a screenwriter, about to be fired. He's short and chunky with a flat nose - a genetic pool that means he won't get to first base with Anna, the woman he loves. At a bank, on the spur of the moment he blurts out a fib, with eye-popping results. Then, when his mother's on her deathbed, frightened of the eternal void awaiting her, Mark invents fiction. The hospital staff overhear his description of Heaven, believe every word, and tell others. Soon Mark is a prophet, his first inventive screenplay makes him rich, and he's basically a good guy. But will that be enough for Anna?Written by   

Taglines:

 In a world where everyone can only tell the truth... ...this guy can lie.

Box Office

Budget:

 $18,500,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend:

 $7,027,472 (USA) (4 October 2009) (1707 Screens)

Gross:

 $18,439,082 (USA) (13 December 2009)

Did You Know?

Trivia

The wedding chapel at the end of the movie is located in Sudbury, Massachusetts, west of the Wayside Inn. The Martha-Mary Chapel was built by Henry Ford in 1938-9, also visible outside the chapel is the red schoolhouse made famous by Mary Sawyer, who had a lamb follow her to school.

Goofs

Incorrectly regarded as goofs: When the policeman pulls Greg out of the car, you can see that the car is equipped with automatic seat belts, and at no point can you see that the lap belt is buckled. Therefore Greg could be easily pulled out of the car as the shoulder belt retracts, which is shown when the door opens.

User Reviews

 

Worth Seeing in the Theater

3 October 2009 | by Tony Taylor (Buffalo, NY) – See all my reviews

I'm not sure whats up with people's comments on this movie. I honestly enjoyed myself. This is a very British style humor, wonderfully executed by Gervais. The concept had a different potential then people are expecting. This is not Carry/Liar, Liar humor. You have to be a bit more witty and insightful then that to enjoy this movie. The casting was great on this film. I'm glad Hill took on a serious role and did it well. I really liked Garner in this film. She was fantastic and played off of Gervais very well. I also liked the way they portrayed a world without lie; very well thought out. Overall, good concept put on screen and wonderfully played. Great job.