Envy Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

Guy doesn’t invest in poop spray, gets jealous, chaos ensues, and then they sell flan.

🍿 Envy: Detailed Plot Synopsis

Best Friends and a Crazy Idea

Tim Dingman and Nick Vanderpark are best friends, neighbors, and co-workers at 3M. Tim is the responsible one, while Nick is a dreamer constantly pitching get-rich-quick schemes. One day, Nick envisions a spray that makes dog poop disappear and starts working on ‘Vapoorize’. He asks Tim to invest, but Tim dismisses the idea as impossible.

From Rags to Riches (and Envy)

Against all odds, Nick’s ‘Vapoorize’ becomes a massive success, turning him into a millionaire. He builds a mansion next to Tim’s modest home, inadvertently fueling Tim’s envy. Tim struggles with his friend’s sudden wealth, especially as his own life feels stagnant and unfulfilled. This creates tension within Tim’s family, and his wife and kids find it difficult to cope with the situation.

A Drifter and a Dead Horse

Consumed by jealousy, Tim meets J-Man, a bizarre drifter who encourages him to act on his resentment. After a drunken night, Tim wakes up to find Nick’s beloved horse, Corky, dead in his backyard. Believing he accidentally killed the horse, Tim enlists J-Man’s help to cover it up, leading to a series of increasingly absurd and comical events.

Partnership and Confession

Nick, oblivious to Tim’s turmoil, offers him a 50/50 partnership. Guilt-ridden, Tim confesses everything to Nick. Surprisingly, Nick forgives him, demonstrating the strength of their friendship. However, their troubles are far from over, as a new complication arises from the ‘Vapoorize’ product.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Tim Dingman (Ben Stiller): An average man consumed by envy when his best friend becomes incredibly wealthy.
• Nick Vanderpark (Jack Black): An eccentric inventor who strikes it rich with a dog poop dissolving spray.
• Debbie Dingman (Rachel Weisz): Tim’s wife who struggles to cope with her husband’s growing envy and resentment.
• Natalie Vanderpark (Amy Poehler): Nick’s wife who decides to run for state senate but is continually plagued by questions about her husband’s product.
• J-Man (Christopher Walken): An oddball drifter who fuels Tim’s envy and offers dubious advice.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• J-Man: “Up your ass with Mobil Gas.” – A bizarre and nonsensical threat made by the J-Man, showcasing his eccentric character.
• Nick: “Nice things make life better.” – Nick’s justification for his extravagant spending after becoming rich, highlighting a theme of materialism.
• Tim: “It’s all about the lumbar!” – Tim expresses the excitement about the chair he gets from his promotion.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $40,000,000
• Domestic Gross: $13,562,325
• Worldwide Gross: $14,494,036

💥 Envy Reviews

Personal Review

Okay, I’ll admit, I went into this movie expecting the worst based on its reputation. And yeah, it’s flawed, but I found myself laughing despite myself. Some of the jokes are so dumb they’re funny, and Christopher Walken is absolutely bonkers in the best way. I think if you go in not expecting a comedic masterpiece, you might actually enjoy it for what it is: a weird, silly, and strangely entertaining movie.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of Ben Stiller and Jack Black’s earlier work”
  • “Viewers who enjoy dark comedies and absurd humor”
  • “Those looking for a lighthearted film about friendship and jealousy”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Crude humor and language”
  • “Brief drug references”
  • “Suggestive content”

Professional Reviews

• Variety: “Despite the comedic talents of Stiller and Black, ‘Envy’ fails to deliver consistent laughs, bogged down by a weak script and uninspired direction. The film’s premise feels stretched thin, and the humor often misses the mark, resulting in a disappointing cinematic experience.
• The New York Times: “‘Envy’ showcases moments of brilliance from its stars, but ultimately struggles to maintain a cohesive and engaging narrative. The film’s exploration of jealousy is overshadowed by bizarre plot contrivances and uneven pacing, leaving audiences with a sense of unfulfilled potential.
• Rolling Stone: “It’s tempting to dismiss Envy as a complete disaster, but Christopher Walken and Rachel Weisz bring enough energy and enthusiasm to make it watchable. If you’re curious about what bad can be funny, this is the movie to see.

Audience Reactions

Christopher Walken steals every scene he’s in.: Walken’s performance is generally seen as a bright spot in an otherwise lackluster film.

The over-the-top premise is either hilarious or irritating.: Viewers are divided on whether the film’s absurd humor works or falls flat.

Overall Consensus: While the cast has some highlights, ‘Envy’ is considered a disappointing comedy with an uneven script and bizarre humor that doesn’t land for most viewers.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “Jack Black, Ben Stiller, and DreamWorks’ Jeffrey Katzenberg publicly apologized for the film during a press conference for Shark Tale (2004) at the 2004 Cannes Film Festival, acknowledging its poor reception.”
• “Ben Stiller reportedly campaigned for ‘Envy’ to be released straight-to-video due to his dissatisfaction with the final product.”
• “The rotating opening shot and sped-up sequences were stylistic choices by director Barry Levinson, contributing to the film’s odd and somewhat disjointed feel.”

🖥️ How to Watch Envy?

As of October 2024, ‘Envy’ is available for purchase or rental on various platforms such as Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, and Vudu. Check your preferred streaming service for current availability as offerings may change.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Envy, you might like these similar films:

• The Cable Guy (1996): Both films feature Ben Stiller in a dark comedy where an intrusive and strange character disrupts the protagonist’s life.
• Office Space (1999): It captures the comedic frustration of corporate life and the desire for something more, resonating with the initial setup of ‘Envy’.
• Duplex (2003): Starring Ben Stiller. Centers around a couple dealing with increasingly absurd and frustrating situations stemming from their living situation.

🛒 Envy Related Products

• Funko Pop! Ben Stiller as Tim Dingman (Envy): A limited-edition Funko Pop! of Ben Stiller’s character, Tim Dingman, complete with a miniature ‘Vapoorize’ can. This would make the perfect desk companion and a great conversation starter.
• Envy (Blu-ray): The Envy Blu-ray with behind-the-scenes footage and interviews with the cast and crew.
• Vapoorize Prop Replica: A high-quality, screen-accurate replica of the Vapoorize can from the movie. Display proudly and let everyone know about your questionable taste in movies.
• Pocket Flan Recipe Book: A fun, novelty cookbook with flan recipes inspired by the ending of Envy.

🎧 Soundtrack

Envy features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Envy” – performed by Mark Mothersbaugh
• “Can’t Help Myself (Sugar Pie Honey Bunch)” – performed by Four Tops

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

It’s Flan Time! Who wants flan? You dont know flan? – Envy, 2004

Remember that hilarious ‘flan’ scene from ‘Envy’? This short clip perfectly captures the movie’s quirky comedy – seriously, who can resist a good flan joke? I still randomly think about it sometimes!

✨ Rate