Envy (2004) * * *

Directed by:  Barry Levinson

Starring:  Ben Stiller, Jack Black, Rachel Weisz, Amy Poehler, Christopher Walken

Nick (Black) and Tim (Stiller) are neighbors who carpool to work daily for their nine-to-five drudgery at a local plant.    Nick has another of his wacky, get-rich-quick ideas called "Vapoorize", an aerosol spray that vanishes dog excrement into thin air.    Where does the poo go?   Who cares?    You won't need those pesky bags anymore.   Nick offers Tim a 50/50 partnership, which Tim declines because he thinks the product won't take off.    But, almost overnight, it does take off.   Nick becomes rich beyond his wildest dreams and builds an obnoxious mansion, while Tim gnashes his teeth in envy from his modest home across the street.  

Tim can't escape Nick's display of wealth.   It is in his face every day.   He finds no solace in television because Nick's Vapoorize infomercials air constantly.    Tim's wife (Weisz) drinks far too much while reminding Tim that he could've been a 50/50 partner.    Regret and envy run about 50/50 in Tim's brain.  He tries to get away from Nick by taking his family on a vacation in a shack in the woods, but the homeless, crazy J-Man (Walken) learns of Tim's dilemma in a local bar and further fans the flames of his ill feelings towards Nick.    Tim must take action, but what exactly?    It's not he has the wherewithal to invent something better.

We think we know where Envy is headed, but it surprises us.    For one thing, Nick does not turn into an insufferable jerk.    He loves Tim and thinks he is sharing his good fortune with him, without realizing what building a mansion across the street is doing to his friend.    Tim doesn't exactly hate Nick as much as he resents him and beats himself up for not saying yes to the partnership.    This resentment causes bad things to happen, some unintentionally, which I won't reveal.     Stiller remains the undisputed world champion of the slow burn which ignites into a volcanic tirade against those who make him angry.    We can understand his feelings, while wanting to slap him upside the head for not at least humoring Nick and saying yes to the silly proposal.

Then, there is the Vapoorize itself.    People ask where the poop goes after it is zapped away.   It must go somewhere and soon we find out where, which isn't good for business or for Tim, who finally turns the corner in his relationship with Nick only to have these complexities pop up.   The guy can't catch a break.   Then, there is the threatening J-Man, who demands blackmail money for things Tim does to Nick that he shouldn't have because of his envious mindset.

Envy was a notorious box office flop which I enjoyed, mostly because it zigs where we think it will zag, and gives us some depth in the performances.    Envy is a comedy, but the harsh emotions flying around provides a darkly effective undercurrent.    We can identify with the people and wonder if we would behave like them if we were Tim or Nick, or heck even the J-Man.    We hope not, but human nature takes over and we act the worst when we shouldn't.   Just ask Tim.