Envy 2004
Directed by
Barry Levinson
Made by
DreamWorks Distribution
Plot Summary
Tim Dingman, portrayed by Ben Stiller, and his best friend Nick Vanderpark, played by Jack Black, share a deep bond as neighbors and colleagues at 3M. Recently, Tim has celebrated a promotion at work, whereas Nick is struggling with a performance review that criticizes his focus. With Tim’s new promotion came a luxurious chair boasting exceptional lumbar support.
In a burst of imaginative ideas, Nick conceives a rather outrageous plan to strike it rich by inventing a spray that can make dog waste vanish. Tim, embodying the role of the skeptic, passionately argues against Nick’s impractical ideas, but he can’t shake off his friend’s unyielding enthusiasm. Nick, desperate for support, takes a leap of faith and collaborates with research scientist Dimitriov to develop a prototype of his bizarre invention. While Tim vehemently opposes the idea, asserting that “matter cannot simply disappear,” his wife, Debbie, played by Rachel Weisz, is fueled with excitement about the potential investment in the project.
As fortune favors Nick, he successfully unveils Vapoorize, a product that clears away dog droppings in an instant, and soon finds himself a celebrity on live television. He moves into an extravagant mansion, conveniently located near Tim’s former home, along with a horse named Corkey, who has a peculiar knack for munching on apples from Tim’s yard. Despite Nick’s soaring success, Tim’s feelings of jealousy intensify, particularly when his own family begins to notice their comparative financial struggles.
Nick’s wife Natalie, represented by Amy Poehler, starts a political campaign with environmental issues at its core, yet is constantly scrutinized regarding her husband’s product. In the meantime, Tim’s life spirals downward as his envy leads to a spectacular meltdown, resulting in his job loss and estranging his family temporarily.
In an attempt to escape his circumstances, Tim finds himself in a bar for the first time, where he encounters J-Man, an eccentric drifter played by Christopher Walken, who encourages Tim to shake things up. However, following a chaotic drunken escapade, Tim mistakenly believes he has killed Nick’s cherished horse, Corkey, and buries it in his disused swimming pool. As turmoil and misunderstandings unfold, Tim and J-Man hatch a convoluted scheme to claim a reward for Corkey’s return.
The duo’s plan backfires spectacularly, culminating in a series of unfortunate events. Much to Tim’s dismay, Nick invites him to become a partner in his lucrative venture, prompting J-Man to blackmail Tim. However, an accidental arrow discharge underscores Tim’s chaotic life, leading to a reckoning with lost friendships and newfound wealth.
At a crucial moment during a press conference for Debbie’s campaign, Corkey’s carcass is discovered, leading to devastating consequences for Vapoorize as investigations reveal its harmful ingredients. With nearly everything at stake, Tim channels his inventive spirit and dreams up Pocket Flan, reinvigorating his spirit and their fortunes.
In a heartwarming twist, J-Man reappears, suggesting a path to reconciliation between the friends as they ride the wave of a new venture together.
Timeline
Tim's Promotion
Tim Dingman celebrates a promotion at his job at 3M, indicating a positive change in his career. He receives a luxurious chair with exceptional lumbar support, symbolizing his new status and success.
Nick's Performance Review
Nick Vanderpark faces a difficult performance review that highlights his struggles and lack of focus. This critique affects his self-esteem and drives him to seek a new avenue for success.
The Outrageous Idea
Inspired by his desire to get rich, Nick comes up with the radical idea of inventing a spray to make dog waste vanish. Despite Tim's skepticism, Nick's enthusiasm fuels his determination to pursue the invention.
Collaboration with Dimitriov
In his quest to bring his idea to life, Nick collaborates with research scientist Dimitriov. This partnership marks the beginning of their efforts to develop a prototype for the product, titled Vapoorize.
Debbie's Support
Tim's wife, Debbie, surprisingly supports Nick’s project, igniting a divide between Tim and his spouse. While Tim remains doubtful, Debbie sees potential in the investment, complicating Tim's feelings about the venture.
Vapoorize Unveiled
Nick debuts Vapoorize on live television and suddenly becomes a household name. His invention gains public attention, leading him to move into an extravagant mansion, heightening Tim's feelings of jealousy.
Life of Luxury
Following his newfound fame, Nick enjoys a lavish lifestyle in his new mansion, which is located conveniently near Tim's former residence. He even adopts a horse named Corkey, which adds to Tim's envy.
Nick's Political Campaign
Meanwhile, Nick's wife, Natalie, embarks on a political campaign focused on environmental issues. However, she faces constant scrutiny regarding the ethical implications of her husband's product.
Tim's Downward Spiral
As Tim grapples with jealousy, his life begins to unravel, leading to a spectacular meltdown. His envy causes him to lose his job and creates tension with his family, deepening his despair.
Meeting J-Man
In an effort to escape his troubles, Tim visits a bar and meets J-Man, a quirky drifter who encourages him to embrace change. This encounter becomes pivotal as Tim seeks to turn his life around.
The Corkey Incident
After a night of heavy drinking, Tim mistakenly believes he has killed Nick's beloved horse, Corkey. In a panic, he buries the horse in his old swimming pool, setting off a chain of misunderstandings.
The Plan Backfires
Tim and J-Man concoct a convoluted scheme to claim a reward for Corkey's return. However, their plans unravel in a series of unfortunate events, creating more chaos in Tim's life.
Blackmail and Reckoning
Nick unexpectedly invites Tim to join him as a partner in his successful business, which leads to J-Man blackmailing Tim. This chaotic turn of events forces Tim to confront his choices and lost friendships.
Corkey's Discovery
During a crucial press conference for Debbie’s campaign, the discovery of Corkey's carcass unfolds shocking consequences for Vapoorize. Investigations reveal the product’s harmful ingredients, putting Nick's success at risk.
Reinventing with Pocket Flan
In a bid to restore fortunes, Tim invents *Pocket Flan*, demonstrating his inventive spirit. This new venture represents a turning point for Tim, fostering hope for a better future alongside his friend.
Path to Reconciliation
J-Man returns, offering a glimmer of hope for Tim and Nick’s friendship. Together, they embrace the potential for redemption and a renewed partnership in their entrepreneurial endeavors.
Characters
Tim Dingman (Ben Stiller)
Tim is a once-successful man whose world unravels as he grapples with envy and jealousy after his friend's sudden rise to fortune. His skepticism towards Nick's outrageous business idea showcases his pragmatic nature, but his inability to handle jealousy leads to poor decisions and a temporary estrangement from his family. Throughout the film, his character experiences a significant transformation, dealing with the consequences of his actions.
Nick Vanderpark (Jack Black)
Nick is characterized by his whimsical and optimistic personality, fueling his outrageous ideas about entrepreneurship. His success with Vapoorize turns him into a celebrity, highlighting his ability to persevere despite setbacks. However, his relationship with Tim becomes strained as Nick's fortune grows, showcasing the complexities of friendship and rivalry.
Debbie (Rachel Weisz)
Debbie, Tim's wife, represents support and encouragement, particularly in the face of Nick's new venture. Her excitement about Vapoorize signifies optimism and a willingness to embrace innovation, although she too must navigate the implications of the friendship dynamics and Tim's jealousy. Her character adds depth to the film's exploration of relationships.
Natalie (Amy Poehler)
Natalie is portrayed as a spirited advocate for environmental issues through her political campaign. Balancing her role as Nick's wife and as a public figure adds complexity to her character, especially as she faces scrutiny stemming from her husband's unconventional product. Her enthusiasm and commitment to her ideals highlight themes of social responsibility.
Setting
Time period
The movie is set in contemporary times, showcasing modern-day issues, such as entrepreneurship and the pressures of maintaining friendships amidst personal struggles. The timeline reflects the current societal landscape, particularly concerning environmental concerns and the impact of wealth on relationships.
Location
3M, extravagant mansion, Tim's yard
The story unfolds primarily at 3M, a corporate environment where Tim and Nick work together, fostering a bond as colleagues. An extravagant mansion becomes the symbol of Nick's unexpected success, contrasting sharply with Tim's humble living situation. Additionally, Tim's yard serves as a subtle backdrop to the growing tensions and comedic interactions between the characters.
Themes
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Greed
Greed drives the central conflict between Tim and Nick, as Tim's jealousy over Nick's sudden wealth and success leads to his own downfall. It serves as a cautionary tale about how the desire for material gain can strain friendships and lead to irrational decisions. The theme highlights the importance of valuing relationships over financial success.
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Friendship
The movie explores the complexity of friendship, particularly how envy can threaten bonds between close friends. Tim and Nick's relationship is tested through their contrasting fortunes and decisions, ultimately leading to misunderstandings. However, the film also suggests the possibility of reconciliation and growth, emphasizing the value of true friendship.
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Animals
Corkey, the horse, serves as an unexpected catalyst for the film's humor and plot development. Through Corkey, the movie portrays the unconventional ways animals can impact human lives and relationships. The connection between the characters and Corkey highlights themes of care, responsibility, and the unexpected consequences of actions.
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