The Official "Invention of Lying" Thread

[Christina]

Don't judge it harshly. Go in with an open mind. Also remember that this is a stepping stone so the studios can see that Cemetery Junction is worth promoting.

That's what I thought and that's why it's kinda lame. I'm just glad that they didn't decide to fund CJ based on this film cos it sounds like it would be dead in the water if that were the case.

[Steven]

It's gone down to 60% on RT. Now that it's being released today, I suspect it will finish up with 45% to 50%, but if anyone is going to see it today, then have fun :)

[grimoald]

The gist seems to be that the script was excellent, but they unfortunately got it wrong in the execution.

I also think the flaw that is often mentioned, about people unnecessarily telling the truth, could have been easily managed by saying that not only could these people not lie, but that they were always honest.

[snail16]

From the trailer it looks like they just basically all think out loud.

[ike]

I think I've found the harshest one yet: do I win a copy of Ladder 49 on VHS or summat?
http://www.newstatesman.com/film/2009/1 ... ervais-lie

I always find it hard to take some of these reviews seriously, how can he criticise somebody's movie when he's not even capable of writing a few paragraphs of review without including huge chunks of spoilers? He gives away part of the ending, and loads of jokes from the movie, there's no need for specific quotes from the movie, just give an overall review of the movie in general without spoiling it for those of us that want to see it for ourself.
My review of his review:
2/10

[j_a_m_e_s]

Well, here's my review. Contains spoilers. Obviously.

My grade:
7.5/10
It's really good. I liked it, didn't love it.

Ricky_Fan + Pilkipedia_User + Objective_Grade = Grade

Let Ricky_Fan =1, and Pilkipedia_User=1

1+1+Objective_Grade = 7.5

Objective_Grade = 5.5

Oh dear.

[liammyles]

this is bollocks. ive been avoiding this thread until i saw the film and i was planning on reading the thread before i posted in it, but its already on 7 pages so i gave up, im just gonna post my review even though its probably already been said a million times before.

right, im guessing i have to write in spoilers incase people are reading and havent seen it.

i loved it, there arent many romantic comedies these days that have the right ratio of romance to comedy. this had it perfect. pre lie i thought it was amazing, just the right amount of comedy for it to be funny but also enough plot to establish the 6 or so main charactors, ricky...essentially a nice guy. the woman, obviously cant be nice but you get the feeling she isnt happy living her life the way she is even though technically she is 'living a perfect life'. his two friends jonah and c.k, losers, we get it. the film man, dickhead.

the beginning of the lies was done well, not amazingly as i thought his first lie should have been accidental and he would have to work up to bigger lies. something like he is talking to someone and they say what colour tie are you wearing and he says green or something, only him realising that he has lied. THE lie...the one to his mum. it was also the first of a few times i cried in the movie. i thought it was so sweet and his crying acting was definately on a par with the cry in the office when he got fired and the cry to camera in extras, possibly even better. it really was emotional.

i thought that from that to him getting mobbed outside his home happened a bit quickly, but i would guess news like that would travel fast. the only qualm i have with the rest of the film was its small digs at religion, not always in a bad way, but just those little bits...like him standing outside his apartment reading 'the rules' on tables similar to how moses would have done it. or when he was depressed, unshaven and came to the door with his bedsheet looking how one would imagine a god. now i dont think its offensive as it is just a story, but those bits did make it a bit annoying at what the subtext was. atheism is better, isnt false hope or whatever.

second time i cried was when he was sat in the graveyard. he knew he had changed the world, which is what he wanted all along, but knew that no matter how happy everyone else was, he still wasnt. because he knew the truth. that was a really good moment. then it panned to his mums grave and quite bluntly stated ''lived an average life'' or whatever...i would have been so happy if it said instead ''bog standard old woman''

from that point he was chasing the girl trying to get her back like in most rom coms. did an ok job at this, but i thought it would have been a bit better if it was done a bit quicker...im not saying the film was too long, just those last 15/20 minutes seemed like there wasnt much happening.

third time i cried was at the wedding when she said she wanted chubby little kids with snub noses. i knew when she cleaned the ice cream of the fat kid that she had changed her mind. would have been nice for them to have kissed, i have my theories on why they didnt though.

9/10

*edit*

like to see steve and barry in the film, i found it funny, but it just seemed a bit forced.

[Biblops]

Hated it.

I was severely disappointed, its a good concept and has a nice message (especially the way it deals with religion) but seriously guys, this is the guy who co-created The Office and Extras. And now he's created this generic, unfunny, poorly directed film. Some people criticised Ghost Town, which I massively enjoyed, but the thing is, Gervais co-directed and co-wrote this, which makes this failure even MORE innexcusable. I've never missed Steve Merchant so much, I am looking forward to Cemetary Junction more than ever to see the old team back together and regaining dignity.


Note: i have JUST watched the trailer for the Tooth Fairy. All hope is lost, they have sold their souls. I mean, Gervais has now gone off with some ridiculous Japanese woman who has spoiled his talents, and Merchant has now formed Wings. Here's hoping Karl does a George Harrison and keeps his dignity (oxymoron I know).

[Brent Hogwell]

Things looking up: three-star reviews from both of the main Irish dailies:
http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/the ... 40451.html
http://www.independent.ie/entertainment ... 02468.html

[macpac26]

First time poster long time reader...just back from the movie with my missus.

She hated it , i liked it. Disappointed that i didnt like it more because i REALLY wanted to love it. In fairness to Gervais he has to pander to the US market and pitch it as a romantic comedy but i thought it was lacking in the comedy department and felt quite long. Every scene was faded out slowly it just kind of dragged along. From a promising opening it sort of laboured towards the end.

Some of the more touching scenes i thought Ricky shone in and definitely proved his acting worth along side a stellar cast. For all Rickys bigging up, i thought Louis CK was extremely under used and a nothing character really. He contributed nothing. Much like Jonah Hill.

thinking about it now, Karls review was spot on!

Before the movie we got a trailer for Cemetery Junction, and Stephen is fucking TALL on a cinema screen! My god! :)

[it's_a_foodage]

Who's Ringo?

[Martin]

Robin Ince.

[Garfield]

Who's Ringo?

Sturgess?

[it's_a_foodage]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00lvdrj

[Barrylad]

Not available in my area, and it features Kermode. Just sum up for me, plz.