It won’t be long before the whole world notices Mark as one day he inadvertently tells the first lie in this world with unexpected and far-reaching consequences.

This is a likeable and entertaining film that probably would not have been made by Hollywood without Gervais’ direct involvement. As Mark, Gervais is allowed to play the usual self-effacing slightly bewildered and world-weary character he is usually comfortable with. What is more interesting is seeing Jennifer Garner and Rob Lowe playing for laughs as two very shallow people in a very shallow world.

I loved the adverts for Coke and Pepsi in this world as well as its films which are basically a stuffy narrator (played by ‘Spinal Taps’’ Christopher Guest) reading a script from a teleprompter. See without lying or fiction, there is no excitement or poetic licence to be taken, just the plain facts. The dialogue and exchanges between everyone in this world are amusing because of their total honesty and lack of subtlety and tact. If you have ever wondered what the world would be like without a little bending of the truth and diplomacy then this is pretty close!

Mark uses his new ‘gift’ to help himself financially (who wouldn’t?) and it is not long in a world of gullible dupes that he becomes rich and successful. He soon learns however that his new found wealth will not fix everything or make him happy, he also finds himself responsible for the world’s moral conscience, quite a weight for a ‘chubby, snub nosed screenwriter’ to bear!

With its references to culture, daily existence, advertising, success and failure as well as tackling prickly subjects like death and religion Gervais and co-writer Robinson have produced a bold and original romantic comedy. With strong support from Louis CK, Jonah Hill, Jeffrey Tambor and Tina Fey the viewer will easily buy into this different world. For a Gervais vehicle it is also surprisingly sentimental at times with an uplifting central message about happiness rather than superficial success. Maybe he is mellowing as he gets older? Not his best by a long margin but ‘The Invention of Lying’ is nevertheless a well-crafted and well executed ‘feel-good’ comedy.