Envy (2004)

Save your money for something good and enjoyable

one of my absolute favorites!

Expected more

This is a tender, generous movie that likes its characters and presents them as real people, full of flaws and strengths.

This movie has become one of my favorite comedies and I feel the need to express my opinion about it. I can understand if it's not your cup of tea, but I will never understand how anyone could HATE it; maybe audiences had certain expectations because of Jack Black and Ben Stiller. It has a simple yet very original plot for a comedy; I've never seen one quite like this. The whole cast is great. Probably Christopher Walken's best cameo-type supporting role; some may argue that he steals the show. Even the soundtrack is funny. It definitely has the potential to be a cult favorite. It is very quotable, especially Walken's lines. It is mainly a plot driven type of comedy, but still connects you to the characters along the way. So, ignore all the hate and watch it for yourself before you blow it off as crap.If this was your cup of tea, I also recommend these other comedies: Gentlemen Broncos, Napoleon Dynamite, Clear History, The Big Lebowski, Election, What About Bob?, Extract, And Super(Rainn Wilson)

"Envy" bombed at the box office in 2004, but that doesn't mean it's not worth watching (or owning). Jack Black and Ben Stiller play neighbors & best friends in Southern California who work at a sandpaper factory. Black strikes it rich with an invention and builds a vast mansion where his former home was. Of course, this stirs the envy of Stiller who gets mixed-up with an eccentric vagabond, played by Christopher Walken. Amy Poehler and Rachel Weisz play the wives.While "Envy" isn't very laugh-out-loud funny, it's consistently amusing and the story is good enough to maintain your attention. Walken stands out as the offbeat bum. What I like best is the film's originality; I really can't think of any other films like it. Maybe that's why it bombed. I also like the way "Envy" pokes fun at materialism and everything that goes with it, e.g. envy. In addition, it's nice to watch a comedy like this without overt sleaze and overkill cussing, like 2007's "The Heartbreak Kid" (I don't mind realistic cussing in movies, but when it's overdone it's neither impressive nor funny; it's just stoo-pid and smacks of lazy writing).Weisz and Poehler are as gorgeous as ever, but they're decidedly peripheral and the filmmakers never take advantage of their presence. Regardless, "Envy" is solid, original amusement.The film runs 99 minutes and was shot in Santa Clarita, L.A. & Culver Studios, CA, and Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.GRADE: B

Tim Dingman (Ben Stiller) and Nick Vanderpark (Jack Black) are best friends and co-workers. Nick is a dreamer who dreams up a spray to vaporize dog poo. Tim is a reserved man who thinks the idea is silly, and does not invest $2000 in an idea of a lifetime. Nick becomes super rich, and Tim is still stuck in his life. Nick is jealous and his wife Debbie (Rachel Weisz) won't let it go. That's when he meets crazy J-Man (Christopher Walken).This is not only unfunny, but it's utterly annoying. These people are not just hateful. They're annoying. Both Stiller and Black are playing different kinds of annoying people. Ben is the title Envy character, but Black is totally clueless. If you're looking for likable characters, you won't find them in the wives. Weisz is a petty angry woman, and Amy Poehler is even more idiotic than Black. There is just nobody to cling to in this movie. This blackest of black comedy from director Barry Levinson doesn't work because I can't stand these characters. It's a depressing movie watching experience.

Given the talents of director Barry Levinson, actors Ben Stiller, Jack Black, Rachel Weisz, and Amy Poehler, I expected this movie to be good given who is working on it. I was wrong.The movie lacked pacing, originality, or wit. It felt like Stiller, Black, Weisz, and Poehler forced their performances. It felt like Levinson just decided after some takes to forget it. While it does have some moments, this movie felt kind of forced and Levinson just let the camera roll for too long.I know the people involved are much better than this movie turned out to be. This is worth checking maybe once if you are a fan of Barry Levinson or any of the actors involved.