"The Invention of Lying" **1/2 (out of four): This high-concept comedy, about the first person to develop the ability to lie, is wildly uneven but features a few laughs, cameos galore, and an indictment of organized religion that would make Bill Maher proud.

"The Invention of Lying" is a movie. Ricky Gervais, co-creator of "The Office" and "Extras", is in the movie. The movie takes place in an alternate reality in which human beings have not developed the ability to lie. Mr. Gervais' character is the first human to do it. The way he uses this ability provides much of the humor in the film.

"Invention" is the very definition of a "high-concept comedy" and, in honor of its premise, the above paragraph is an example of what might be written in this alternate universe. A bit dull, eh? Well, "Invention" wears out its welcome too - it might have been better as a "Saturday Night Live" skit - but along the way there are a few laughs, cameos galore, and a wickedly sly indictment of organized religion that would make Bill Maher proud.

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