Rating summary

Movie		1.5
Video		3.0
Audio		4.0
Extras		2.0
Overall		3.0

Envy Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Brian Orndorf April 13, 2023

When “Envy” was shot in 2002, the project seemed to be a comedy dream come true. There was Ben Stiller, who was riding high on his massive success with “Meet the Parents,” also reaching pop culture prominence with “Zoolander,” which would go on to become a big deal after debuting mere weeks after the 9/11 terrorist attacks. Stiller’s co-star, Jack Black, was working his way up the industry ladder, achieving great notices for his supporting turn in “High Fidelity,” turned into a leading man for “Shallow Hal.” Things were happening for him, including musical triumphs with his band, Tenacious D. Director Barry Levinson wasn’t exactly hot property two decades ago, stuck in movie jail after wiping out with box office busts such as “Sphere” and “Bandits,” but the helmer’s filmography certainly encountered greatness before, with “Rain Man” and “Good Morning, Vietnam” becoming huge hits during their release years. The package was mighty, joined by “Saturday Night Live” performer Amy Poehler, “The Mummy” actress Rachel Weisz, and habitual kook Christopher Walken. And yet, “Envy” is as close to a wipeout as a picture gets. It’s not a disaster or slapped together without care, it just simply doesn’t work, offering a bizarre viewing experience where talented performers are stuck with DOA material, while the director tries to generate a farcical tone, but fails to acquire any sort of momentum or inspiration to make funny moments happen. The endeavor just falls asleep as soon as it begins.

Tim (Ben Stiller) is married to Debbie (Rachel Weisz), with the couple living an average suburban life, raising a son while trying to remain in a middle-class existence. Their neighbors are Nick (Jack Black) and his spouse, Natalie (Amy Poehler), who also try to keep up with the bills and manage children. Tim and Nick are employees at 3M, only Nick lacks focus, unable to play the corporate game like Tim, too busy dreaming of a different life. Inspiration soon strikes Nick, who comes up with plans for Vapoorize, a special spray that disintegrates animal feces, eliminating cleanup. Nick is ready to bring his product to the market, asking Tim to make a financial commitment to the brand, but he declines, expecting a marketplace disaster. 18 months later, Vapoorize is a smashing success, with Nick and his family suddenly filthy rich and happy to showcase their wealth, leaving Tim envious as he’s forced to watch his best friend achieve huge financial rewards. With his life falling apart, Tim meets J-Man (Christopher Walken) in a bar, with the stranger looking to help Tim find some peace, which only inspires additional disasters as the lost guy tries to clean up his mistakes.

It's a dismal world for Tim and Nick, who are stuck in a routine that gets them up every morning, leaving their cul-de-sac homes located under overhead power lines, heading to a workplace that’s numbing, especially to Nick. He’s been exposed as a daydreamer, while Tim is more responsible, trying to make a comfortable life for his family, preparing to make the big leap to a pool in the backyard. Inspiration soon comes to Nick, who cooks up Vapoorize with a 3M chemist, asking his best pal if he wants to financially contribute to the start of his company. This is the point where “Envy” should launch, as Vapoorize actually works, much to Tim’s surprise, and Nick graduates to ungodly wealth as he brings the poop evaporator to the masses.

Instead of detailing a silent battle between Tim’s envy and Nick’s opulence, the screenplay (by Steve Adams) paws lightly at such frustration. Jokes aren’t present, just silly displays of Nick’s wealth, including the presence of Corky, his white horse who freely roams the neighborhood. Tensions mount in Tim’s household, with a resentful Debbie leaving him, and he eventually loses his job, mirroring Nick’s lack of focus when all he can concentrate on is the bungling of the Vapoorize opportunity. Again, this should all be gold, but Levinson doesn’t aim for big laughs, just respectful appreciation for absurdities and annoyances, keeping the feature frustratingly inert, especially with a plot ripe for madness. “Envy” soon falls into a coma with the arrival of J-Man, a neighborhood weirdo eager to listen to Tim’s story of woe, happy to help the stranger solve his problems. Walken is perhaps his most obnoxiously Walken-y here (that honor is certainly up for debate), and the J-Man saga is tough on the senses, finding Tim in need of saving when a drunken accident makes everything exponentially worse for the lost soul, requiring outside assistance to clean up.

Ideas with potential are present in “Envy,” especially Natalie’s adventure in politics, with the dim-witted woman receiving a confidence booster in obscene wealth, inspiring a run for a senate seat. Perhaps the details of this odyssey were lost in the editing room, as Poehler is basically left with an extended cameo here, which is odd. There’s also growing distrust in Vapoorize, with the public demanding to know where the poop actually goes. Again, this idea feels like it played a larger part in the story at one point, perhaps shaved down to allow for more time with J-Man. It’s an editorial mistake. Strangeness is also represented in “Envy,” as Levinson adds Leon Redbone sound-alike selections to the movie, acting as something of a Greek chorus for the endeavor. Perhaps the real Leon Redbone was unavailable, or wisely turned down a job offer.

Envy Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

The AVC encoded image (1.85:1 aspect ratio) presentation is sourced from an older master of "Envy." Age is apparent throughout the viewing experience, which offers a softer sense of detail, including skin particulars, which don't carry fresh textures. Costuming is equally dulled. Living spaces lack sharp decoration, and exteriors are flatter. Color benefits from wild hues on outfits and household details, but it remains slightly fatigued. Greenery is acceptable. Skin tones are reasonably natural. Delineation has some moments of solidification. Grain is largely filtered out. Some banding is detected.

Envy Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The 5.1 DTS-HD MA mix provides clear dialogue exchanges, balancing surges in excitable reactions and argumentative behavior. Scoring is defined, with decent instrumentation. Clarity extends to soundtrack selections, which offer sharp beats and some mild low-end response. Surrounds aren't active, pushing out musical offerings and some atmospherics.

Envy Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• Image Gallery (1:53) collects poster art, film stills, and BTS snaps.

• T.V. Spot (:17, SD) offers a single commercial for "Envy."

• And a Theatrical Trailer (1:38, SD) is included.

Envy Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

"Envy" is designed to get crazier as it goes, moving from hostility to corpse removal plans, ending up in a blackmail scheme and the depths of Tim's guilty conscience. And yet such screen insanity doesn't appear, with the picture crawling around unfunny business, highlighting a cast that's clearly come to play, only to be left with little to sink their teeth into. It's not surprising that "Envy" was produced, it really features can't-miss elements. But the execution is utterly lame and ill-focused, with Levinson floundering here in a way that's reminiscent of 1992's "Toys," which also highlighted a seemingly sure thing that went south in a hurry.