Envy (2004)
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7% of critics liked it
(116 reviews) -
30% of users liked it
(50,874 ratings)
Barry Levinson directed this comedy in which success has a rather surprising effect on two old buddies. Nick Vanderpark (Jack Black) and Tim Dingman (Ben Stiller) are best friends and next-door neighbors who work together at a sandpaper factory. Nick and Tim often find themselves wishing for… More Barry Levinson directed this comedy in which success has a rather surprising effect on two old buddies. Nick Vanderpark (Jack Black) and Tim Dingman (Ben Stiller) are best friends and next-door neighbors who work together at a sandpaper factory. Nick and Tim often find themselves wishing for something more from life, and Nick has a habit of dreaming up harebrained get-rich-quick schemes that usually end in disaster. Tim is particularly appalled by Nick's latest idea, "Vapoorizer," a cleaning product which will make pet feces magically disappear, but to their shock, it turns out to be an incredible success, and before long Nick is wealthy beyond his wildest dreams. Tim, however, is still the same guy getting by in suburbia he's always been, and soon Tim finds himself bitterly resentful of his old friend. As Nick gets richer, Tim gets angrier, and he develops a drinking problem. One night, in a bar, Tim meets an eccentric drifter (Christopher Walken) who offers him some not-so-friendly advice on getting even with his old friend. Envy also stars Rachel Weisz and Amy Poehler as Tim and Nick's much-put-upon spouses. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi
- Directed By
- Barry Levinson
- Written By
- Steve Adams
- Genres
- Action & Adventure, Comedy
- In Theaters
- Apr 30, 2004 Wide
- Studio
- DreamWorks SKG
Critic Reviews
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Jonathan Rosenbaum, Chicago Reader
With so many dubious elements at play, even the half-good ideas get lost in the shuffle.
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Anthony Breznican, Associated Press
Envy crawls to its finish through a minefield of poor taste and comedic misfires.
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J. Hoberman, Village Voice
Ultimately more amusing than hilarious, and sometimes less than that.
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Richard Roeper, Ebert & Roeper
... one of the worst comedies I've ever seen.
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Sara Gebhardt, Washington Post
For an alleged comedy with such star power, Envy reeks enough to wish there was a vaporizer that would make it magically disappear.
See more critic ratings and reviews on Rotten Tomatoes
Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)
Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)
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Cast
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Ben Stiller
as Tim Dingman
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Jack Black
as Nick Vanderpark
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Rachel Weisz
as Debbie Dingman
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Amy Poehler
as Natalie Vanderpark
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Christopher Walken
as J-Man
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Blue Deckert
as Cal
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Hector Elias
as Eduardo
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Tara Karsian
as Lab Assistant
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Daniel Lugo
as Italian Minister
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Tom McCleister
as Bosco
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Brian Reddy
as Mr. Parmenter
- Ving Rhames
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Douglas Roberts
as Downscale Auctioneer
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Frank Roman
as Translator
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John Gavigan
as Les
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Angee Hughes
as Woman at Play
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E.J. Callahan
as Bartender
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Connor Matheus
as Nathan Vanderpark
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Jaye K. Danford
as Campaign Emcee
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Ted Rooney
as Upscale Auctioneer
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Tracy Dixon
as Teacher at Play
- LisaRaye
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Ashlynn Rose
as Girl #2 at Play (Butterfly)
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Terry Bozeman
as 3M Worker
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Lily Jackson
as Nellie Vanderpark
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Cayden Boyd
as Boy #2 at Play (Wolf)
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Ariel Gade
as Lula Dingman
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Maricela Ochoa
as Dr. Fernandez
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Nicholas Sugimoto
as Boy #3 at Play (Worm)
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Randall Bosley
as Oscar
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Sam Lerner
as Michael Dingman
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Manny Kleinmuntz
as Dimitriov
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Edith Jefferson
as Mable
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Tumbleweed
as Lester
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John Marrott
as State Trooper
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Ofer Samra
as Pete
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Amy D. Higgins
as Vanderpark Nanny
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Curtis Andersen
as Young Kissing Man
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Melissa Pouk
as Girl #1 at Play (Bee)
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Hannah Rosenberg
as Girl #3 at Play (Flower)
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Atiana Coons-Parker
as Girl #4 at Play (Rock)
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Jacob Greenblatt
as Boy #1 at Play (Duck)
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Gustavo Hernández
as Pool Worker
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Kent Shocknek
as Newscaster
