Review: The Invention Of Lying

I want pizza now.

NOW.

The Pizza Hut stuff was the worst. Didn't think it was all that great up to then, actively started to dislike it afterwards.

Also need to mention the product placement in this was absolutely incredible. I like to think Gervais wouldn't stoop so low as to feature products needlessly, but I guess the film has to be funded somehow.

Budweiser (the only drink drunk, nearly always in a scene)
Pizza Hut (writes his commandments on the back of two boxes)
Pepsi
Coca-Cola (both used in "funny" adverts, although Cola is called "Coke")

It was amazing.

The little treat for Extras fans was a delight, however.

Saw this, not great. Felt like they had an ok idea, came up with a few funny scenes, then instead of exploring the issues in any deep or meaningful manner made up their minds about how to fill in the gaps and just did their best. Sure, it turned into an issue of religion and faith, but it felt a bit rushed.

Didn't seem to have much to do with lying either - people just blurted stuff out without being prompted. Should have called it "Everyone Is Rainman". And it should have starred Jim Carrey, even though he was already in a film with a similar title - although sort of the inverse of this.

Oh, and it wasn't funny either. Surprise!

Well that was enjoyable enough but it does feel like something of a missed opportunity given the potential the idea has. As with Ghost Town, it's only once he can see dead people/lie that things pick up. Before that it's just plain odd and not in a funny way.
At least the deathbed scene goes some way to proving the guy can act. I'd like to see him take a non-comedy role next time.

I saw Ghost Town on a plane and it was pretty dire. Gervais was funny when there was nobody else sharing the screen with him.

Gervais and American comedies just don't go together. Infact they're diametric opposites with Gervais being the short, fat, downtrodden everyman and Hollywood being the land of the beautiful and carefree. Seeing him sharing the screen with Jennifer Garner is just wrong.

Hoffman etc aren't the fun cameos. There's a great little scene that'll be a treat for Office and Extras fans.

I don't even like The Office that much, but I maintain Extras is a work of genius - the Christmas episode cemented it for me as one of the best, most personal pieces of TV I've ever seen, and I'm still surprised some of the jokes weren't removed.

When will people learn that British actors simply aren't compatible with American actors, unless they're Sean Connery?

Er...you say there are cameos too enjoyable to be spoiled but then tell us about Hoffman & Norton?
Or are they not cameos?

Meh, I liked Gervais in The Office and Extras, but haven't seen him do anything other than that comedy-of-embarassment to prove he's anything other than...well...Ricky Gervais.