Would someone please tell me what has to be done to get Ben Stiller to stop taking every script that gets put in front of his face? Once again Stiller graces the big screen after he has already released Along Came Polly and Starsky & Hutch this year, and we are still “anxiously” awaiting his Dodgeball flick this summer.
Envy is about Tim (Stiller) and Nick (Jack Black), best friends working the front line at 3M, manufacturing sand paper and what not. Tim is a straight and narrow kind of guy while Nick always seems to have his head in the clouds trying to think up the next great invention.
Suddenly one day Nick comes up with the idea of devising a spray that will make dog poop disappear without the fuss of the owner picking it up. Tim thinks the idea is bogus and Nick goes off and makes millions.
Cue our title.
Now, Tim is envious of his friend’s fortune, and needless to say, does something stupid that guides the movie into an early grave.
Despite my lack of enjoyment for anything Stiller does, I still enjoyed most of Jack Black’s comedy throughout the picture, but Christopher Walken as the J Man was excellent, which made it even more disappointing that his performance had to be downgraded by a lackluster story.
There isn’t much Walken can’t do, but saving this movie was a task he wasn’t up to, although he tried. Playing a down-on-his luck homeless man, this is pure Walken. rom the great speeches and the way he delivers lines, as only he can do, Walken adds a small bit of enjoyment into this lifeless film.
I know there will be people rushing out to see this film, as Stiller has his followers, but I can only advise you to watch your step before you find yourself knee deep in this one.
