Ricky Gervais - Keeping the Faith

Ricky Gervais is one of the most successful and talented British comedians the country has ever produced. He has won tens of awards for acting, directing and writing the genre defining worldwide phenomenon The Office and the brilliant Extras. For me personally, he's a hero of mine. He's the hero. He's the man that made me pick up a finger and type and try and make people laugh, perhaps had more impact on my life and world view than anyone else. He has his critics, but these are the facts. However, he has yet to truly broaden his talents in to filmmaking. While his films have by no means been ill received, or financial flops, he has yet to reach his full potential and produce that comedy masterpiece on film that will truly define him.

His first lead role came in David Koepp's Ghost Town (2008). Gervais said at the time that it was the best script he had been offered, and presumably he had been offered a considerable amount since his break through Golden Globe win in 2003. Despite being a very 'golden age Hollywood' comedy, directed and produced with a whimsical, light hearted tone to suit the subject matter, it was a suitable vehicle for Gervais's first lead. While the story was somewhat pedestrian, Gervais was able to demonstrate his trademark social realism and work with a great cast. He was the star, and without his performance the film could have been unwatchable under a lesser lead. Enjoyable and charming, the film was well received and gave Gervais the start he deserved. 7/10

Many believed the best was yet to come. The Invention of Lying (2009) was Gervais's first co-written and directed film, and many believed this would show the cynical, biting Gervais at his best, working on his own terms, ready to take on the world with a venomous piece of social satire. But something strange happened - A miss fire. The film was not the piece of genius fans like me had hoped for. In many ways, the film was remarkably similar to Ghost Town - a light hearted, fantastical yet contemporary Hollywood comedy. It was all too nice. The score bounced. Jennifer Garner smiled. There was no cutting edge and no real bite, despite a heap of controversy around the fundamentally atheist concept. Even as a religious satire, the film showed little risk. Perhaps a more important and disheartening problem was the fact the film wasn't actually very funny. Polished, quite enjoyable, but not very funny. Gervais had not yet translated his genius to the big screen. 5/10

Another year, another stab. I had high hopes for Cemetery Junction (2010), Ricky's first collaborative effort with long time partner Steve Merchant. It was a love letter to 70s England, it was a coming of age story about the young being young. The execution was great, both the direction and the performances were stylish, but perhaps a little too stylish, and too cool to really be funny. I would have preferred a much grittier take, finding a bit more edge between the mundane and the 70s hip. The funnies are not the film's focus - It's all about the coming of age tale. Though told flawlessly here, its been told flawlessly hundreds of times before because, let's face it, there's nothing to it. 'Cemetery Junction' was a rom-com by the numbers. It didn't give Gervais and Merchant enough space or leeway to really nail the gags or the emotional substance they are capable of. Too nice, too safe, too ordinary, and frankly too generic, and I hope it was just something they needed to get out of their system. 6/10

If his big screen career to date tells me anything, it's that next time he needs to go back to his roots, get nasty and have a go at society again. The genius IS there, just need that one great original idea to really show it off. The obvious comparison would be with Simon Pegg & Edgar Wright, who have translated their craft to the big screen with breathtaking results, for me surpassing their television accomplishments (though I'm sure there are many die hard Spaced fans who might say otherwise). I have faith that Ricky Gervais will do the same. One day he will get it right, and come up with his Spinal Tap. He's never let me down before.