BY MIKEY MIGO
I like Gervais a lot. His work on "The Office"(acting and co-creating), "Extras", his stand up, and even "Ghost Town". When I first heard about this movie I was excited about the casting. The movie features Jennifer Garner, Rob Lowe, and Louis CK, but also sprinkles in Jonah Hill, Chris Guest, Tina Fey, and a literal ass load of other cameos that I'm choosing not to spoil. The movie is set in a PG Jim Carrey movie type of world where no can tell a lie. Gervais's character tells the first lie and sees the benefit of its use. From there I expected some big elaborate series of schemes where he'd take complete advantage of his newfound "power", but it didn't go like that. Almost off the bat, he uses his lies for good, to make people feel better, and to help the unfortunate. He's really into Jennifer Garner's character, but she's honestly shallow as she doesn't want to hook up with him in fear that her kids would be "fat with pug-noses". Still, he doesn't use his lies to convince her to love him, but rather to try to impress her. The whole lying thing really comes to surface when Gervais's mother is dying. She's scared of death and nothingness so he basically invents the concept of God and religion to make her comfortable as she passes. This gets out and people look to him as a savior of some sorts. I realize what I just wrote doesn't sound like a funny or unique experience, but it was very surprising. The movie's charm, quirkiness, and story make the hour-forty go by very quickly. It reminds me of a movie that Bill Murray would have done in the late 80's or early 90's. This movie doesn't have over the top CGI, over the top crass humor, or really anything the normal public will go crazy over. This movie is for people who enjoy their comedy not spoon fed and their charm and heart in overload. I recommend this movie to anyone who wants to enjoy themselves. If that's not of your interest then pass, I suppose. Solid B.
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