Without giving too much away, it's about a world in which everyone tells the truth...all the time (accounting for much of the hilarity of the film). However, when everyday loser Mark Bellison (Ricky Gervais) discovers that he can tell a lie, he learns the power (for good and evil) that lying affords. The movie raises questions about what a lie really is and when/if it's okay to lie, and it forces you to consider what it is that you're really thinking about when interacting with other people (mostly about how we compare ourselves to others and try to promote ourselves as the "winner" in any given situation). It also has a really interesting spiritual commentary that would be worth some discussion...borders on sacrilegious at times, but actually moves beyond it to some thought-provoking concepts.
Beware of an opening scene that involves Jennifer Garner's character talking openly (but not graphically) about masturbation (part of the "tell the truth all the time" fall out), but other than a few other off-color saying-what-they're-thinking moments, the film was a 10 for me. Phil, on the other hand, liked it, but didn't love it like I did.
While I'm about a year late watching this movie, the plus side is that I rented it for $1.00 at Redbox. Can't beat that and a little microwave popcorn (or pop c., as Phil would say) and some caffeine free Diet Coke!
3 comments:
sounds great! now that we're finished with LOST, we'll actually be watching movies again. i'll add this to my mental list for next redbox visit. thanks for the rec.
Okay, I think I need to watch this again...Daniel and I rented it awhile back and Daniel didn't like it at all. I tried watching it in between Aubrey naps, but never quite finished it before we had to turn it back in. From what I saw, it was hilarious and a unique concept for a movie.
I think what really turned Daniel off to it was the fact that it sorta made a mockery of God (or should I say, "Man in the Sky"!), which makes sense considering Ricky Gervais wrote and directed it and is a self-proclaimed atheist. Makes me sad because he'd be really fun to have around in Heaven! :)
If you like Ricky Gervais, "Extras" is the way to go.
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