The Invention of Lying (2009)

Starring: Ricky Gervais, Jennifer Garner, Jonah Hill

Director: Ricky Gervais and Matthew Robinson

IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1058017/

Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Invention_of_Lying

It's no lie: this movie disappoints.

It takes place in a world where everyone tells the truth, meaning that not only does everyone give their honest opinion but there are no works of fiction either; just a bunch of boring history documentaries. It centers around a guy named Mark Bellison, played by Ricky Gervais, who is down on his luck and is constantly being called a loser. This all changes, however, when he inadvertently tells the world's first lie. Soon afterwards, all the dominoes begin to fall and his life is turned upside down by his surprising discovery.

Let's start with the obvious: the first part of the movie is complete and utter crap! It's not funny, it's incredibly awkward, and just plain weird. It's kind of like one of those commercials that you see where everyone says what is on their minds, no matter how inappropriate they are. Those are fine for a cheap laugh and usually last about 30 seconds at the most. This is not the case in the film: we are suppose to take this at least semi-seriously and it goes on for the first 10 to 20 minutes of its running time! It doesn't really make much sense: just because people can't lie, that shouldn't mean that they have to mention every little thought that pops into their head. And if there is no fiction, couldn't they at least jazz up some of the documentaries like they do on the History and National Geographic channels. It just...doesn't make sense!

Mark is...passable. He discovers his ability to lie as a result of...certain chemicals in his brain reacting differently for no reason at all...I don't know, it's not really explained; it just kind of happens. He has fairly incredible powers since everyone believes anything he says since they have no concept of someone saying anything other than the truth. He does fairly typical stuff, like trying to get laid (unsuccessfully), avoids getting arrested, gets rich by robbing a casino, and making up a story for his job at a documentary film studio (all with more success). However, he usually maintains a sense of prudence. He has a chance to have sex with a woman, but backs down because he feels wrong about doing it. When he does lie at later points in the film, it is mostly to make people feel better. So while he is not exactly a very interesting character, he has some good qualities.

Still, when Mark uses his lying for good, it doesn't always come off as...particularly hopeful. For instance, his neighbor Frank Fawcett (Jonah Hill) is constantly talking about being lonely and wanting to kill himself. I..guess that is suppose to be funny in a dark, sad kind of way. Anyway, Mark attempts to make makes him feel better by lying to him and saying "Everything is going to be alright." I think this moment is suppose to be heartwarming, but it comes as almost mean; its like you feel so sorry for the guy that you have to make stuff up just to make him feel better. Mark may have the best of intentions and he does become friends with him afterwards, but it just seems kind of wrong.

This gets taken to the extreme when Mark confronts his ailing mother (Fionnula Flanagan), who is afraid of dying. He tries to comfort her by saying that when she dies, there will be a "Man in the Sky" who will give her a mansion to live in for all of eternity.

Yeaaaaah, you see where this thing is going....?

Pretty soon, word spreads that Mark knows these really big "secrets" and he has to come up with all these rules to calm people's nerve about life and death. You know, if Gravis and his co-writer and co-directer Matthew Robinson wanted to do a parody about religion, that would have been fine. Maybe they would have liked to have done that, but were too afraid of the controversy (Gravis is openly atheist, but usually does not like to flaunt about it in public); I don't know for sure. As a result, however, it seems that it feels like they decided to just cram it into this film without allowing it to reach its full potential. It's too bad because this was probably the funniest aspect of the movie.

But even this does not remain the main focus for long, because the film then decides to turn into a stereotypical romantic comedy! Even as Mark gains fame as a would-be messiah, he does not have any luck winning over his love interest Anna McDoogles, played by Jennifer Garner. The reason why is because she wants a man who will provide the proper genetics for her future children as opposed to one who will give them "fat kids with snub noses".

Too soon? Hmm, probably should have just stuck to the Ben Affleck joke...

Mark obviously has it in his power to change her mind, but he is too much of a nice guy to do so, preferring to win her over by showing who he is as a person. You know, the stupid way. He tries to tell her about how she is the kindest person he has ever known. I'm not really sure how he's not lying at this point because she is not a nice person! She is self-centered and extremely cold toward him and life in general! Then again, that describes everyone in this picture besides Mark; it kind of surprises me that Frank is the only one who wants to commit suicide! Who would want to live in a world like this?! Anyway, I will not ruin the ending, but you can pretty much see how this whole thing is going to go down, so there is no point on elaborating on it.

This film is a mess. It is not funny for the most part, the characters are both bland and/or unlikeable, and the plot cannot seem to pick a theme and stick with it (not to mention a ton of random celebrity cameos that barely contribute to the story at all). Worst of all, it sends across a very unpleasant message, if even it had one to begin with: that it is acceptable to lie. Look, maybe it is fine to fib a little bit to avoid hurting someones feelings (as is shown at the very end of this picture) or to avoid someone from being put in danger, but for the most part, telling the truth is the way to go. Sure, there would be problems if everyone was honest with one another, but overall the world would be a much better place to be in. And just because you cannot lie does not mean you need to be an inappropriate jackass like the film seems to imply; there is a little thing called "self-control" which the filmmakers seemed to have forgotten to add in when they were crafting the script.

As I said in the beginning, I am a little disappointed this did not work out. I tried to give this film some credit for having a unique idea, something that is growing increasingly more difficult to find nowadays, but I cannot honestly do it because they botched up the execution so much. I hate to admit this, but I would rather see a movie with a plot that has been done a billion times of times if it manages to have other interesting aspects to it (i.e. strong characters, good writing) then one that goes on a different path and fails to materialize properly. Others may disagree with this approach, but they should at least acknowledge that just because a film is different does not automatically mean it's a superior piece of work. Still, there were some parts of the picture that worked. The religious parodies were entertaining as I already mentioned, and I liked Rob Lowe and Tiny Fey's characters. Yes, they were about as nasty as everyone else, but they seemed to be the only ones who actually seemed like they were enjoying themselves, even though Lowe is basically playing a more blunt version of the character he played in "Wayne's World" almost twenty years ago and can practically do this in his sleep.

Overall, however, the film just comes off as unfunny and, at its worst, mildly insulting. I don't recommend it...and that is no lie. And that was another really bad joke, so I'm going to stop now.

I do not own the copyrights to these pictures and links; they are for entertainment purposes only. Please do not sue me.

Review: Friends with Benefits (2011) TH

Hypocritic oath

This is a romantic comedy on the candid side that attempts to evenly round up both the female/male viewer by throwing out some honest, self-depreciating jokes about the sometimes awkward and frustrating aspects of what either side goes through when dating and attempting to secure a steady relationship. "Friends with Benefits" is an unchallenging film that comes across more as a spoof of other contrived rom-coms while still managing to fall into a few of the trappings and part of the formula itself the more involved it gets.

This is by no means quintessential and it's hard to say if it tackles the promiscuous question any better than "No Strings Attached" as they don't always take themselves very seriously but are more for brisk and painless recreation instead. "Friends (with Benefits)," the indy flick from 2009, answered a little more about the debatable question. The main difference between the recent "NSA," is it had one side who felt more attached than the other and previously they were more acquaintances than friends. All three seem like different experiences in their own little ways, but where both "FwB" 2011 and "NSA" borrowed off of "F (wB)" 2009 was they all start off as silly comedies and then revert back to a similar rom-com template, not to mention all boil down to emotions that everyone was trying to suppress. Now that a template is officially established, hopefully this is the last of 'em.

This has a very loosely laid out plot that instead of going for layer upon layer keeps it simple by concentrating on character development, leaving ample room to evaluate emotions and coming with little recognizable patterns throughout in the meantime that looks at their on-the-fly lives in the city and charismatic friends and family members. There's the premise: they go through unserious and unreasonable dates, then meet through business--Dylan (Timberlake) is from L.A., Jamie (Kunis) is from N.Y., now he moves to N.Y.--they become close friends and, of course, they're done with the emotional side of sex, hence they should be friends with benefits. Problem solved! Not exactly. Both are still romantics at heart even though they try and hide their emotions so they don't get hurt again with Jamie being a blunt, cursing New Yorker, and Dylan avoiding talking about private issues when confronted. They try and keep it cut and dry or as a "tennis match," but if it wasn't inevitable enough start to grow onto each other. They want to keep the friendship, so both date outside but confusion sets in if they should go back and further the connective bond they had.

From what at first has them yelling out calculated directions of how to please one another like a business transaction, this turns into some believable chemistry between Mila Kunis and Justin Timberlake with some spontaneity thrown in to give them some natural interaction. This comes with lots of undergarment shots, a few butts, as well as plenty of bedroom banter that only holds back in showing the full detail. Shaun White shows up as the token and somewhat pointless antagonist who's nice to everyone else but chides on Dylan because he had a thing with Jamie prior. Woody Harrelson plays the proud and macho gay friend Tommy who's got a thing for sports. Harrelson tries a little too hard, but still manages to keep one's undivided attention whenever he enters the screen just for what he'll say next. Patricia Clarkson--from "Easy A"--plays Jamie's irresponsible mom Lorna who goes through more men than floss and has some pretty humorous lines despite not being the perfect role model.

Everybody seems to be checked out when it comes to steady relationships, including Dylan's father (Richard Jenkins) who's going through Alzheimers but wishes the mother was still around and that he actually went after a former crush. This causes Jamie and Dylan to reevaluate what they had, despite the flaws and hangups, and the film from having rapid edits and quick quips in the beginning starts to eventually ramble on and turn a tad bit long so it can avoid falling into a cliche and sappy closer, which it nearly does so anyway. Who are they fooling? Even though some of the humor and serious subjects don't always mix at this stage, it was still somewhat mushy, easy fun that's perfect enjoyment for a date night or a relaxing nothing-to-do day. "FwB" doesn't necessarily answer any questions as it shows more than it tells, but when it concludes still comes with a few relating puns and jabs at what people go through just to find the right person, or who that right person actually will be outside of our preconceived notions. I guess there's hope even for the ones who want to cut to the chase and eliminate all those courtship rules.

Director: Will Gluck (Fired Up!, Easy A)
Starring: Mila Kunis, Justin Timberlake, Woody Harrelson, Patricia Clarkson, Richard Jenkins, Jenna Elfman
Website: IMDB

Review: No Strings Attached (2011) TH

Snuggles and pancakes not included

What if your friends step in and say you might be a hopeless fool to pass up what you have despite how unconventional it appears? Yet, those tingling little jitters aren't there, that is unless you're afraid to confront them or are purposely pushing them away.

Fifteen years ago Adam (Kutcher) tried to get a little somethin' somethin' at summer camp with an emotional ruse about his parents getting divorced but was deflected from the unaffectionate Emma (Portman). Adam and Emma by chance catch each other five years ago at a frat party and she invites him to her father's funeral as if it's just some "stupid thing." He shares that he likes her but she's again upfront that they probably won't ever see each other. Now, one year ago they stumble into each other for the third time and he gets her phone number. From a drunken stupor about finding out that his dad is with someone he knows, he ends up at her place naked, thus starting their physical, get-in-get-out, wham-bam-thank-you-mam entanglement that comes with no strings attached, rules and boundaries included to make sure of it.

This is a comedy first and foremost, though it begins a little too headstrong and in the audience's face as there's no build up to the point-blank jokes. It's incredibly self-aware of its own ridiculousness and it becomes forced at times. Though after meeting more characters and getting an outline, this handles the unabashed and crude humor a little better as it turns over to the relationship angle. Despite the R rating--which is more for drug use and cursing--this takes a PG-13-like route about the physical side and doesn't exploit the angle such as provocative pictures like "9 1/2 Weeks" or the more extreme "9 Songs" as it's a little more fun and goofy than seductive. "No Strings Attached" also transitions between phases of growth as they continue to see each other more frequently to the point of appreciating one another and liking the stability--yet still don't use those no, no words like "girlfriend" and "boyfriend."

This starts wild and crazy and then lessens down to a mildly serious simmer that leaves the characters both torn between regretful decisions and emotional tangles. If it's not obvious enough this is going to get a little sappy for the hopefully romantic and everybody's going to end up some kind of winner no matter if it's how they planned it or even if it is who they thought it would be with. But that should have been expected from the humorous angle, as there's nothing dark or racy about this. Sometimes even coming with hip and trendy music and playing on the immature angle despite everyone's age.

"No Strings Attached" on its surface is an easy movie that's made to be briefly rewarding and give a momentary good feeling when the credits roll. It comes with some challenges for the skeptics, such as how it deals with that coincidental thing called "Fate" that relationship movies abuse too often with all too convenient scenarios. Yes, this definitely has them--stumbling into each other at the coffee shop and all--but they're a little more buried than the normal formula as some complications arise and time is spread out. This borrows some conventions, as well as goes against a few, such as the guy being the fonder one despite growing up with an absent mother but instead a playboy, celebrity dad who chases tail.

The co-stars range from token black and gay guy, to socially awkward for the sake of quirkiness if we cinema goers haven't seen enough of it. The sister adds the element of marriage and the alpha male co-worker poses a threat by attempting to step in. Despite the cliches, some of the specific scenarios promote easy beguilement to the storyline even if they don't tally up enough to make this a classic down the road. Natalie Portman plays Emma by going through a few different phases from emotionless and direct to sentimental and confused. Her character development feels a little up and down as she attempts to transition back and forth till she's an adapted person, which makes the tone of the picture go from dealing with a risque subject, to a rom-com, to reevaluating herself by searching for answers. There's not much to anticipate from Ashton Kutcher's role as he plays Adam with a big heart, which makes him spontaneous, giving and sometimes a little slow on the upkeep and spaced out, which gives him that teddy bear persona that he consistently carries from movie to movie.

Director: Ivan Reitman (Ghost Busters, Kindergarten Cop, My Super Ex-Girlfriend)
Starring: Natalie Portman, Ashton Kutcher, Kevin Kline, Greta Gerwig, Ludacris
Website: IMDB