Another stab at celluloid glory from Ricky Gervais, and unfortunately another nice idea poorly executed and promoted to death by the ubiquitous star which fails to live up to expectations.

In an alternate universe, everyone tells the truth. Given such a fundamental shift, its bizarre that this world looks identical to our own. Down on his luck, Mark Bellison (Gervais) accidentally discovers he can lie, and therefore convince everyone that his untruths are indeed legitimate. This sets off a chain of events which lead to the proclamations of Bellison literally being taken as gospel, with only one man KNOWING that this is all a lie. Will Mark be able to resist using his new abilities to win over the woman of his dreams?

You knew things werent looking too promising when Gervais began to defend the film even before it came out. He launched an offensive across various platforms (including the hugely popular blog on his site) which quoted many Hollywood heavyweights as loving this film they mustve have watched something completely different to this release. Aside from a couple of laugh out loud moments (chiefly the very good cameos from two cast members NOT listed below) the film is a weak and very heavy-handed observational piece which paints Gervais as more of a reactionary one-trick pony than Dr Richard Dawkins.

The films flaws however are not down to the anti-religion soapboxing on display. Over the last 12 months or so Gervais has made a BIG deal out of the people starring in the film. Let me just clarify a few things this film does not STAR Tina Fey or Jason Bateman. They have what can only be described as brief cameos, which serve to do little more than wish that they had starred in something more appropriate (i.e. funny). Rickys new best friend (Karl Pilkington, Stephen Merchant and even Jonathon Ross have been replaced) is Louis CK an inexplicable addition to this film. Neither funny nor engaging he has been heavily trailed as something new and interesting yet is nothing of the sort.

Jennifer Garner does well in her role, but again the idea that she would eventually fall for the charms of Mark Bellison are ludicrous. Gervais wants to make a big deal out of not fitting the stereotype of a Hollywood leading man, and yet creates himself a role that demands someone more charming and attractive playing the character. I should point out at this stage that Im actually a fan of the writer and performer. The Office, Extras, Meet Ricky Gervais and the xfm Radio shows are modern classics yet every lesson learned on those projects seems to be forgotten when Gervais heads for the big screen.

The film ends up being as pretentious and telegraphed as any standard Hollywood Rom-Com and arguably worse because it sells itself as something better. The concept is solid and even the glaring plot holes could be overlooked had the script managed to be more than just rarely amusing.

The sad fact of the matter is this: Gervais has tried and failed once too often on the big screen on his own. Its not quite the Emperor being caught in the nude, but whispers are being circulated and eyebrows raised about his skills without a lanky co-writer. Gervais will be better served with regular controlling influence Stephen Merchant than the plethora of yes men who must have approved this project and allowed it to come to the screen in this state.

•  
•  
•  
•  
•  
•  

Get Shareaholic

By: Cassam Looch