[An] instantly original and at times ingenious for purporting moral and social discourse, as through the guise of a typical rom-com it confronts the audience with the very core of their beliefs and behaviors.

| Original Score: 3.5/4 | Aug 30, 2023

The Invention of Lying has some good gags... But the flat direction becomes wearisome and the story runs out of steam before it even reaches a romcom ending that is more sentimental than subversive.

| Nov 27, 2020

The Invention of Lying, which Gervais wrote, directed, and stars in, is only a comedy for about 20 minutes. The rest is an atheistic treatise mocking anyone who believes there is a God and that He imposed a moral order on the world.

| Dec 14, 2018

Not funny or surreal enough to distract you from its shortcomings and not subversive enough, if at all, to actually have something to say.

| Aug 30, 2018

Somewhere between a great concept and an awful script The Invention of Lying got lost in its own truth gimmick. But the truth is, it starts bad and just gets worse.

| Original Score: 1/5 | Feb 6, 2018

I kid you not when I say I sat there wondering is there nothing more to this film? Am I overlooking something? I don't think so, and I couldn't wait for the lights to go up.

| Jan 17, 2018

Light and disposable entertainment to be sure, but that trademark dry Gervais wit keeps the proceedings engaging enough.

| Original Score: 3/4 | Jan 26, 2014

As mildly amusing as it can be in places, it still won't convince non-fans that Gervais can play anything other than the fool.

| Original Score: 3/5 | Sep 29, 2012

| Original Score: B+ | Feb 18, 2012

Gervais' satiric barbs on religion, beauty, disillusionment and the basic human need for hope aim for our comfort zones, and they all hit home.

| Original Score: 3/5 | Sep 29, 2011

The premise is clever but the film is not bold enough

| Original Score: B- | Jun 29, 2011

| Original Score: C- | May 6, 2011

The comedy is definitely there, but a heavy romantic focus drags it down in parts.

| Original Score: 3.5/5 | Oct 29, 2010

While there is nothing wrong with a comedy engaging in religious satire, neither Gervais nor Robinson seems willing to take on the topic thoughtfully.

| Original Score: 3/5 | Oct 27, 2010

A high-concept, laugh-free over-indulgence that blows up terribly in the face of its smug star.

| Aug 9, 2010

There's clear comic potential in the film's high concept, and a fair amount of it is realized.

| Original Score: 2.5/4 | Jul 6, 2010

A wry case for atheism, The Invention of Lying would have sent many Americans into an uproar if anyone had bothered to see it.

| Original Score: 3.5/4 | May 19, 2010

Gervais has helped craft a funny but inconsistent film, yet I'd be lying if I didn't mention that I appreciate the ambition and humor put into what could have been a one-note premise.

| Original Score: B- | Jan 31, 2010

...its weakness is its lack of bite. It's too sweet and gentle for its own good.

| Original Score: 6/10 | Jan 14, 2010

Mr. Gervais... has given us a static, crass Phil Connors to introduce the world to belief in the supernatural. Where are the Ghostbusters when you need them?

| Original Score: B- | Dec 6, 2009