Envy (2004)

Bad comic misfire that is worse than what was written in the reviews. Ben Stiller and Jack Black should be ashamed of themselves for even being in this film, and Barry Levinson should be reprimanded some how for what he did to this movie. Ben Stiller should get a new angle because his comic behavior getting real tire and it is real evident here that he should start talking very hard to his agent about his roles, and Jack Black should consider not doing the dumb fun guy roles any more because that is getting tired as well. Jack was great in the movie School of Rock but he is horrible here, and I hope this is a lesson for him to pick his scripts wisely. The whole movie is a disaster, and most of the comedy is D.O.A on arrival. The only actors in the whole film who do a somewhat fine job is Christopher Walken, who does over do it in the loony department, and Rachel Weisz, who manages to be shine, and be funny in a role that is really more of a extended cameo than a supporting role.

I used to have a lot of respect for Barry Levinson as a director but after this, and the misfire Bandits with Bruce Willis, I lost almost all of it. He manages to make good actors look bad with scripts that are horrible, and really bad direction that has no weight what so ever. People should put the blame on him for how bad the movie came out.

Fmovies: Despite the bad reviews I went to see this movie and was surprised on how funny it was. With brilliant actors and storyline this movie tops my list for 2004.

The characters were written perfectly, including the unforgettable Natalie Vanderpark played by Amy Poler. Christopher Walken plays J-Man who advises Nick Vanderpark (Jack Black), a true Walken original. Ben Stiller plays Tim Dingman, they jealous friend, his character reminded me of his in "Duplex" - But all in all, very funny.

I wonder how anyone could rate this file below a 6. I am totally surprised how good it was, I am not a a fan of the director, but in this case the actors COMPLETLY make up for it. This will be a classic for a long time. 9/10

I couldn't wait to put this movie in my DVD player when I rented it. Then after I started it, I couldn't wait to get it OUT of my DVD player. Actually I watched all of the movie. My wife and I kept waiting and waiting for something funny to happen, but nothing funny ever does. The box read like the it would be really funny. The premise of the movie sound good. Ben Stiller is funny. Jack Black is funny. How could this movie miss? Well....it does miss! This is the unfunniest "comedy" I have ever watched. Nobody I have talked with thought it was even slightly funny. It is just a really lame movie. Trust me. Avoide it....AVOIDE IT!!

Envy fmovies. Was the script more fitting for a 30 minute sitcom? Yes, but they still make it work! I thought the actors did a fantastic job with an otherwise bland script, especially Jack Black and Christopher Walken. Most people on the board seem to really hate this film. I personally can't see how that could be, but Envy is just one of those film that you either love it or hate it. Much like Napoleon Dynamite and every Leslie Neilsen movie ever made. You either think it's one of the worst movies ever made or one of the funniest. Don't avoid this movie because of the reviews. Watch it and see if you're one of the ones who really like it! If you do, I guarantee it's worth your money. If you don't like it... well, now you know.

Cult classics are nearly impossible to predict. Who could guess that Vision Quest, Fight Club, and 2001: A Space Oddysey, movies that were panned by critics and audiences alike upon their release, would become immensely popular? Like many IMDBers, I consider myself a movie expert. Unlike the majority of those who hated Envy(evidenced by a dismal 4.4 rating), I found Envy to be one of the funniest movies in the last decade.

The plot of the movie is ridiculous. The dialogue isn't clever, the scenes have little continuity, and the script seems like it was written by a fourth grader. But that's exactly why the movie is so hilarious. You see, in order to appreciate the accidental genius of Envy, you have to enjoy the movie from an ironically-detached point of view.

Why do I love Envy? Because the movie is bad to the point that it becomes good. This is the recipe for a cult classic, and Envy definitely fits the bill.

Saw it in May 04 when it first came out (yes in an empty theater) and thought it was quietly funny with a moral lesson. Not for everyone but if you like Stiler, Black or Walken, see the movie and judge for yourself. If you are a critic and you are looking for art, forget it. If you are looking for a rainy night rental movie that you can eat some cheap popcorn and diet coke to, then this is a movie you can enjoy. You don't have to think too hard to enjoy the comedy and the moral is easy to pick up on. It won't win any awards nor go down in cinema history as a gem but it's worth the price of the rent and don't forget to rewind. I give it 7 out of 10 Frogs.