The Invention of Lying

The Invention of Lying

Review by Louise Poole

Released: November 2009


Starring: Ricky Gervais, Jennifer Garner, Rob Lowe


Directed by: Ricky Gervais, Matthew Robinson


The Verdict:

The question of whether you will enjoy this film or not depends solely on if you are willing to suspend your feelings of disbelief.

From it’s outset you are asked to step into the reality of Mark Bellison (Ricky Gervais) who lives in a world where no-one has ever lied. It is a world where people always tell the truth, somewhat bluntly, where the concept of fiction does not exist – and films are merely narrations of history, and where religion is unheard of.


Mark Bellison (Ricky Gervais) is an unsuccessful lecture-film writer. At the beginning of the film he goes on a date with Anna McDoogles (Jennifer Garner). Anna expresses minimal interest in Mark, bluntly stating that he is a fat, unsuccessful loser, whom she is not attracted to because genetically her children would end up looking like ‘snub-nosed fatties’ as well. Sounds harsh – but that is how blunt the truth is in this reality.


After Mark is fired and about to be evicted from his apartment, he goes to the bank to withdraw all the money that is left in his account ($300) so that he can rent a truck to move his stuff. However, when he gets to the bank their computer systems aren't functioning and they ask Mark to tell them how much is left in his bank account. Mark states the amount as $800, the teller gives it to him – after all, everyone always tells the truth – and the first lie is born.


The film continues as Mark uses his newfound power of lying for both good and bad and it raises many philosophical questions along the way. God does not exist in Marks reality and people do not believe in anything after death – until a lie from Mark changes everything.


The Invention is Lying certainly has its share of laughs and an amazing celebrity cast (Extras fans watch out for Stephen Merchant and Barry from EastEnders) but to enjoy it be prepared to check your critical mind at the cinema door. The interpretation of ‘lying’ seems to be flexible, as it suits the films needs, and the romantic subplot can feel insincere at times.


This reality in which people cannot lie is depressing because not only do people not lie, but they tell the nastiest of truths without even being asked. The film defines the act of truth as saying the worst of what comes to the top of our minds as soon as we think it and everyone in this reality seems to be set to ‘negative’ by default. It is a world without hope and one where people do not genuinely believe nice things about anyone else instead choosing to superficially see the exterior of what someone else has to offer society.

The Invention of Lying is an interesting idea and worth a look. But a word of advice: Only take the kids if you’re ready to have the birds and bees talk – You won’t believe what’s on some people’s minds that they are compelled to say…

The Twilight Saga: New Moon - Review

The Twilight Saga: New Moon

Review by Louise Poole

The highly anticipated sequel to Twilight – New Moon was released in cinemas at 12:01 on Thursday 19th November. At our cinema, audiences armed with popcorn and a big can of energy drink made no secret of their love of New Moon and The Twilight Saga. For every button Edward Cullen (Robert Pattinson) unhooked on his shirt and each of Jacob Black’s (Taylor Lautner) signature shirt rip women throughout the audience recorded their resounding sigh of approval.

And I too, I must admit, also approved and believe other fans of the Twilight Saga won’t be disappointed in the New Moon instalment.

New Moon continues a few weeks/months after Twilight’s conclusion. It opens on Bella Swan’s (Kristen Stewart) 18th birthday when a seemingly innocent paper cut in a room full of vampires escalates into the catalyst for Edward breaking up with and leaving Bella. When Edward leaves, Bella sinks into a deep depression and it is only through her friendship with Jacob Black that her grey cloud begins to lift. Except Jacob has a pretty big secret….

Yes, it is a film about Vampires. Yes, it is a film about Werewolves. But at its rawest core The Twilight Saga is a love story – Edward Cullen, a modern day Mr. Darcy of sorts. While the first film told the story of Edward and Bella’s love, New Moon at its heart is a story about what happens when the person who once promised to love you forever seems to change their mind. It is the excruciating pain that we have all, at one stage, felt – Numbness, desperation and angst; the loneliness of coming home to an empty house; days that blur into weeks and months; and our withdrawal from friends, family and the rest world when our heart has been broken.

Empathy and understanding for Bella’s deep depression, the intricacies of her relationship with Jacob, and the choice she has to make when you truly love two men came easier after reading the original Stephanie Meyer New Moon novel, but the film didn’t disappoint and the filmmakers can be forgiven because it will always be impossible for the big screen to compete with words which fuel your deepest imagination.

New Moon combines a cast of exceptionally good looking young actors, with amazing cinematography and a killer soundtrack. And watch out for the cameo of a grown up Dakota Fanning – almost unrecognisable and completely different from the child-like roles she usually plays.

New Moon – Definitely a film for women of all ages!


My tip? Make sure you watch the original film Twilight first or you will struggle to follow the plot. And when you fall in love with the first film, give Stephanie Meyer’s books a go, and join the millions of fans who read and re-read their copies daily.

Watch the trailer here:

New Moon Official Trailer

Julie & Julia - The Movie

This movie could very well be the Bridget Jones for 2009. It follows the story of two women, from two different worlds and times but with a common passion for cooking… not just cooking but mastering French cuisine! Julia Child (Meryl Streep) is a seemingly bored housewife who is searching for her purpose in life after WWII, as an American living in Europe. Julie (played by relative newcomer, Amy Adams) is a new age sophisticated naughties woman and government employee. She finds herself questioning her place in the drab corporate world of insurance as she speeds toward the dreaded “30”, drawing inspiration form Julia’s life work.

The movie is based around the True Story of Julia Childs’ induction to the world of French cuisine and how she then delivered this same culinary excitement she felt to the housewives of America. It is also the true story of Julie Powell, whom 50 years later felt inspired by this and in an attempt to offer some direction to her own failed ambitions, she creates an internet blog about challenging herself to complete every single recipe in Childs’s Mastering the art of French cooking….in only 365 days!

The movie jumps between the two lives of these women which at times could be a distracting element of this movie but the delivery of this I feel only enhances the rawness of the story, which is at no time over the top. It allows you to feel a part of the story! So much so in fact that I felt as though I knew the supporting cast already with the movie offering little to no introductions to the rest of the cast, which in turn created the sense that I was actually a part of the story myself!

Julia & Julie sees the return of “Devil wears Prada” costars Streep and Paul Tucci, who plays her on screen husband. These are in very different roles from their previous high fashion characters. The pairing made for some awkward intimate scenes, and I often found myself comparing Paul and Julia Child to Nigel (Tucci) a dedicated fashion editor trying to get ahead and the devil in Prada herself – Miranda Priestly (Streep). This is not to say that the performances in this movie are over shadowed by this teaming, but I think more of a personal diversion from the bizarre yet brilliant chemistry on screen.

All in all Streep has backed another winner, with Julie & Julia, and is a testament to Nora Ephron (Sleepless in Seattle, You’ve got mail) as a director. I challenge you not to leave the cinema and want to push harder for a dream… be it as something as small as having a Hotdog for dinner to being the youngest person to sail around the world or what ever takes your fancy. Julie & Julia is playing now in selected cinemas, check local guides for session details. I give Julie & Julia 3 out of 5 Stars.

Listen to the review by our reviewer Ben by pressing the play button below...

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Research the real Julia Child Here:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Julia_Child

Watch the preview below.

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