Gervais believes in white lies; God, not so much

The poster for "Invention of Lying" would have you believe that it's a movie about a world where everyone tells the truth, except for one man who learns how to lie. Only that's just the set-up. The film ends up being more about what happens when that man invents religion in order to comfort his dying mother.

When British comedian Ricky Gervais ("Ghost Town," BBC's "The Office") came to screen "Invention of Lying" at the Toronto International Film Festival with his co-writer/director Matthew Robinson and costars Jennifer Garner and Rob Lowe, he spoke about how he doesn't actually anticipate much controversy from this hidden premise.

"I don't see why we would ever get hate mail," he said at the movie's press conference. "We decided that in this world, that's how religion started. It's an alternative world. It's in no way atheist propaganda. I love films about angels and things like that and I wouldn't go, 'Oh, they're coming down on one side here.' Like 'It's a Wonderful Life.' I don't leave the cinema with my faith or lack of it challenged. I don't think people should take this as anything other than an artistic choice."

But as might be expected from a Gervais-led panel, every serious pronouncement about the film is countered with something funny. Robinson adds, "I wrote this film to denounce one organized religion in particular and that's Greek mythology. Because Zeus is not real. I don't believe in him and I don't think anyone else should."

The ever-earnest Garner embraces the prospect of controversy. "Isn't it great if [the film] does start a conversation? Religion is something worth examining and your faith is something worth questioning. So I think if this movie asks that of people, that's not a bad thing."

Gervais prods Garner for her own belief system. "Yes, I do believe in God," she confirms. "Thank you for making that clear."

As it happens, the scene that kicks off this dimension of the film is based on something very personal for Gervais. "I am an atheist, and when my mother was dying, I told myself that if she ever asked me if there's a heaven, I was going to lie and say yes," he tells us. "And I think it's a white lie."

"That's one of the big themes of the film," he explains. "A world without the ability to lie isn't as good as a world where you can lie and you make moral decisions on when you should and shouldn't."

Gervais lightens up again. "I lie all the time to protect people's feelings," he says. "'Can you come to my baby's christening?' 'Oh no, I can't. I'm busy.' I don't say, 'Well that doesn't sound like a great day out.' That's what makes you a nice member of the human race. You can choose when to make a good lie."

In addition to tackling lying and religion, the film also takes on the superficiality of appearances. Garner's character chooses to date the hunk (Lowe) over the overweight guy with the stubby nose (Gervais) because she's unable to lie about which guy is more physically appealing.

Gervais doesn't mind characterizing himself as a stubby loser. He seems to enjoy it, in fact. It's all part of being a comedian. "I've got to remind people that I'm just no threat," he says. "I'm not taking myself seriously. I'm falling over for your amusement."

Lowe muses about how his character is actually threatened by Gervais in the movie. "The guy's an alpha male; he's pissing all over Ricky. But the truth of it is, the reason he's a dick is he's scared of him. For no good reason. And that's really interesting."

"There's a great saying that I've always liked," Lowe continues. "'Never compare your insides to somebody else's outsides.'"

Gervais interjects: "Like 'Dexter,'" the TV psychopath. And all seriousness is gone again.