Review of The Invention of Lying

The Invention of Lying is an interesting premise that could have tanked after takeoff.  Thankfully, it follows through and somehow keeps that premise fresh and funny throughout the entire film.  We all know some of the jokes from the trailer.  But what the trailer doesn't show is the progression of those jokes.  That there's an actual story involved, and one that is quite a bit more sophisticated than might be expected, is one of the most pleasant surprises the movie has to offer.  It also keeps fueling the laughs.
Strangely, I saw this movie in a theatre where nobody laughed the whole time.  A lot of the humor is kind of uncomfortable, so I think people were unsure whether or not they should laugh.  But rest assured, it is funny.  And yes, it does have a semi-standard rom-com angle, but it's handled a little differently because of the nature of this particular movie.  Not a lot differently, but enough to make it fit here.
I never knew Ricky Gervais could play a likable guy.  I guess I've only seen him in sort of meaner, sarcastic roles.  But in The Invention of Lying, he plays a genuinely good person who you can't help but like.  And he does it so well,  I was a bit taken aback.  Jennifer Garner is also very good, in a role that seems stereotypically shallow at first (because of the initial premise), but is revealed to be a lot deeper as the story unfolds.  She's really magnetic.
There's not much to complain about in this movie, aside from a few quibbles here and there due to the film's romantic formula, but even that doesn't detract too much.  It's a pleasant view.  3.5 stars.

Number rating: 85