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Imagine a world in which no one can lie, even if the truth hurts.
Imagine one man -- played as a sardonic loser by Ricky Gervais -- who learns how to tell a lie with everyone else blindly ready to believe him.
The power, the responsibility, the chaos! That is the fun of The Invention of Lying.
It signals a mainstream step for Gervais, a dry British stand-up comedian who also invents cutting-edge television (creating, directing and starring in the original BBC version of The Office) and acts selectively for hire in Hollywood (Ghost Town, cameos in A Night at the Museum).
As a cerebral, sarcastic performer, Gervais is an acquired taste. Now in his 40s, the formerly obscure Gervais is asserting his "vintage" without compromise. He does what he bloody well wants to do and will not stoop to stupidity for laughs.
In the case of The Invention of Lying, Gervais co-wrote and co-directed the film with his American collaborator Matthew Robinson. He also co-stars in the piece with the impossibly sweet Jennifer Garner.
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In contrast to her real-life nature, Garner plays an unattainable woman who is rudely ready to tell Gervais he can't have her because he is too ugly.
That is the trick with The Invention of Lying. Not only are people unable to lie, they seem oblivious to the effect the cruel truth may have.
There is no guilt or shame.
So, when Gervais shows up early for a first date, Garner seems flustered.
She informs her suitor that he interrupted her pre-date masturbation. And that he was unlikely to even get a kiss that night.
The invention of the first lie comes in a moment of tenderness. When Gervais realizes what he has done, and how he can do it again, he selectively tries to re-order his universe.
Instead of being the loser, he becomes a winner. But it all comes at a price -- a crisis of conscience and complications he could never anticipate.
The film touches on subjects as strange as reality television and as profound as the nature of true love, the integrity of religion, or the value of genetics in relationships.
Yet it does so with whimsy, gentle sarcasm and entertaining wit. This is not a mean film.
Gervais is brilliant in maintaining the ruse of his invented world, which is set in an American city. He sucks you into the world as assuredly as he made us believe he was the self-delusional office manager in The Office.
Garner is wonderful at delivering the sexy charm she needs to attract Gervais while she pushes him away, opting for Rob Lowe's oily character.
Lowe plays an arrogant playboy who gets the girl because he has great genetics. But the film explores whether that is a good thing or not.
Other key support roles are well played by the likes of Jonah Hill and Tina Fey.
However, the sentimental ending is a bit too much.
And the wry tone is difficult to sustain throughout. Yet there is so much stimulation, and good, smart comedy, that The Invention of Lying is great fun.
I wouldn't lie to you.
(This film is rated PG)