The Invention of Lying Blu-ray Review

"The Invention of Lying" arrives on Blu-ray with an honest and competent 1080p VC-1 transfer, framed at 1.85:1. The film features a realistic color scheme, avoiding the artificial orange tint seen in many Hollywood blockbusters, while emphasizing pale and natural complexions. Skin tones are convincingly depicted with healthy, rosy hues and textured details. The overall visual quality is sharp and clean, maintaining a moderate grain that reminds viewers of its filmic origins. Although the image lacks the "pop" and depth of some modern transfers, the consistent contrast, stable black levels, and well-balanced brightness ensure a gratifying high-definition experience. However, occasional edge enhancement and minimal halos in wide shots are noticeable but not overly distracting.

The presentation is further characterized by stable blacks, punchy primary colors, and a variety of vibrant secondary hues, making the visuals pleasing to the eye. Close-ups reveal a high level of detailing, especially in daylight sequences and well-lit interiors, although certain scenes exhibit inconsistent detailing and softer lines. The transfer avoids common technical pitfalls such as artifacting, banding, aliasing, or noise, delivering cleaner and crisper images. While some scenes might appear flatter and without pronounced depth, this likely stems from the film's original low-key aesthetic rather than the transfer itself. In sum, "The Invention of Lying" offers an attractive, if somewhat ordinary, high-definition picture quality that aligns well with its comedic tone, though it falls short of the superior presentations of contemporary releases.

The audio presentation of "The Invention of Lying" on Blu-ray is featured in a Dolby TrueHD 5.1 surround mix. The sound design is primarily front-focused, emphasizing clear and intelligible dialogue, which remains prominently positioned and crisp throughout the film. Despite a few instances where dialogue appears to be slightly muffled, the overall vocal clarity supports the narrative well. The music tracks, particularly Tim Atack's score, infuse the auditory experience with moments of vibrancy and charm, occasionally making effective use of rear channels to enrich certain sequences. Although there is limited use of deep bass, appropriate low-frequency support gently enhances the vocal depth and musicality.

Surround sound activity in this mix is minimal but discernible in specific scenes, such as when Ricky’s character discovers he can lie, where environmental effects create a dynamic front stage with occasional rear activity enhancing the ambiance. The sound effects and background activity are subdued, supporting the film's primary focus on dialogue and minimalistic soundscapes. While there are moments where the acoustics and atmosphere come alive during busy sequences, such as crowded restaurants or conference rooms, these instances are sporadic. Nevertheless, the directional audio pans are seamless, and the dynamics are consistently decent, maintaining an unobtrusive yet competent soundstage.

In conclusion, while not a standout audio track, the Dolby TrueHD 5.1 mix for "The Invention of Lying" delivers an adequate and engaging listening experience typical for a romantic comedy. Fans seeking an immersive or powerful audio presentation may find it lacking in dramatic flair; however, it satisfactorily captures the film's essence with clarity and occasional flair where it matters most.

The Blu-ray of "The Invention of Lying" includes a variety of entertaining extras, although all are limited to standard definition. The absence of a commentary track is notable, but fans can appreciate the additional content available. Highlights include the comedic prequel "The Dawn of Lying," exploring the first lie in caveman times, and "Meet Karl Pilkington," where Karl travels to Boston and humorously navigates his role as an extra. The "Truly Honest Making-of Featurette" offers a lighthearted look at behind-the-scenes antics, while the deleted scenes bring additional humor. "Ricky & Matt's Video Podcasts" and outtakes add more laughter with candid moments from set. Despite the repetitive nature of some segments, the extras deliver a few more laughs post-movie.

Extras included in this disc:

• Prequel: The Dawn of Lying: A short featuring cavemen encountering deception for the first time.
• Meet Karl Pilkington: Documentary following Karl's journey to the USA and participation in filming.
• A Truly Honest Making-of Featurette: Behind-the-scenes clips with cast and crew.
• Additional Scenes: Five deleted scenes adding extra humor.
• Ricky & Matt's Video Podcasts: Four segments filled with casual production insights.
• More Laughter: Corpsing & Outtakes: Compilation of humorous on-set blunders.
• Digital Copy Bonus Disc: For viewing on various devices.

"The Invention of Lying," co-written and directed by Ricky Gervais and Matthew Robinson, explores a world where no one can lie. Despite its clever premise, the movie often falls short of its potential. The plot centers on Mark Bellison (Ricky Gervais), an underperforming screenwriter who stumbles upon the ability to lie in a society where everyone tells the truth. This newfound power leads Mark to unforeseen consequences, especially after he fabricates stories about the afterlife to comfort his dying mother. The film delves into themes of religion and societal norms, treading on thin ice as it critiques faith and the human penchant for belief without robust interrogation. These satire elements might alienate some viewers, particularly those sensitive to religious scrutiny.

On the technical front, the Blu-ray presentation impresses with a solid 1080p VC-1 transfer in a 1.85:1 aspect ratio. The visual quality features realistic skin tones, satisfying contrast, and acceptable black levels that enhance the viewing experience. However, the Dolby TrueHD 5.1 audio mix is underwhelming, offering minimal surround sound engagement and lacking the dynamic range that could enrich the film's comedic and dramatic nuances. The world depicted in "The Invention of Lying" is visually and aurally compelling enough for a home viewing audience.

Gervais and Robinson's execution sometimes falters in maintaining comedic momentum beyond the initial act's brilliant premise. The central premise—where honesty eliminates tact and self-restraint—yields humor but occasionally devolves into mean-spiritedness, affecting the balance between satire and romantic comedy. Cameos from notable actors like Edward Norton and Philip Seymour Hoffman inject sporadic brilliance but are not enough to sustain the narrative's heft. Viewers may find themselves divided: some will appreciate the satirical undertones, while others may view the film as an uneven comedy bogged down by its preachy overtones. "The Invention of Lying," despite its aspirations and moments of ingenuity, remains a provocative yet flawed exploration of truth, deception, and faith.

"The Invention of Lying," directed by Ricky Gervais and Matthew Robinson, presents a unique blend of incisive satire and romantic comedy. While the film's ambitious narrative and humor can be polarizing, it undoubtedly offers a fresh perspective on the fabrications woven into society. However, the likability of the characters and the coherence of the plot does not consistently hit the mark, potentially detracting from viewer engagement. This unpredictability in delivering its comedic punches makes it a film better suited for a cautious rental rather than an outright purchase.

The Blu-ray release itself manifests competence but falls short of excellence. The audiovisual presentation, while good, is not particularly standout. The video quality provides clean and sharp visuals, but it lacks the vibrancy and depth that would elevate it to being truly remarkable. The sound is delivered clearly, maintaining dialogue intelligibility but not remarkable enough to highlight any specific praise. Additionally, the bonus material is relatively sparse, offering only a limited extension of content that fails to significantly enrich the viewing experience.

In conclusion, "The Invention of Lying" on Blu-ray delivers a solid yet unexceptional package. While the film contains its moments of humor and thought-provoking satire, its overall impact feels uneven and, at times, underwhelming. Given these considerations, it’s advisable to engage with this title through a rental route to better gauge its appeal before making a dedicated purchase.