Envy

Ben Stiller, as Tim Dingman, and Jack Black, as Nick Vanderpark, are an unlikely duo, bound by a deep friendship that transcends their shared workspace at 3M. While Tim basks in the glory of a recent promotion, reaping the rewards of a fancy chair with unparalleled lumbar support, his neighbor and colleague Nick struggles to stay focused, his creative energies often hijacked by harebrained schemes to strike it rich.

Nick's latest obsession is an invention he's convinced will make him a fortune: a canned spray capable of vanishing dog feces into thin air. Tim, ever the voice of reason, listens patiently as Nick explains his plan, only to demolish the idea with a barrage of logical concerns and practical doubts. Undeterred, Nick partners with research scientist Dimitriov to bring his vision to life.

As Nick's prototype takes shape, Tim becomes increasingly skeptical, unable to fathom the science behind the product or comprehend where the, ahem, "disappearing" waste might be going. But when Nick pitches the concept to Tim, asking for a 50/50 investment of $4000 to take it to the next level, Debbie's enthusiasm notwithstanding, Tim remains steadfast in his refusal to participate. Little does he know that Nick has already begun to bring his creation to life.

Fast-forward 18 months, and Nick has successfully launched Vapoorize, a product that has captured the hearts and wallets of dog owners everywhere. As he appears on live TV touting his invention's wonders, Tim is left stunned, his initial skepticism replaced by a growing sense of regret.

As Nick's wealth continues to soar, he trades in his modest abode for a lavish mansion, situated mere yards from Tim's old home. His family now enjoys the luxuries of their new lifestyle, with Corkey, their loyal horse, becoming a familiar sight in Tim's yard, where he devours apples with reckless abandon.

Meanwhile, Nick remains blissfully unaware of Tim's simmering envy, his generosity and success only serving to fuel Tim's resentment. As Nick spends his days basking in the joy of his family's new life, free from the burdens of employment, Tim finds himself increasingly self-conscious, lashing out at his children when they innocently compare their own fortunes to those of the Vanderparks.

In this tale of friendship turned rivalry, Ben Stiller and Jack Black bring to life a humorous exploration of the complexities of human relationships, as two friends navigate the consequences of their diverging paths.

As Natalie (Amy Poehler), Nick's wife, embarks on a political journey to the state senate, her campaign is mired in controversy surrounding her husband's product. Her platform centers around environmental concerns, but the public's curiosity about where dog waste goes threatens to derail her momentum.

Meanwhile, Tim's personal and professional life begins to unravel as his focus dissipates. His wife Debbie (Rachel Weisz) and children temporarily depart, unable to stomach the sight of him anymore. This development is compounded by his sudden termination from 3M, as his lackluster performance has become too glaring to ignore.

As a result, Tim's financial woes deepen, forcing him to cancel the pool project he had commissioned for his backyard. The contractors had already dug a hole, but now it serves as a poignant reminder of his dwindling fortunes.

In an effort to drown his sorrows, Tim ventures into a bar for the first time in his life. There, he meets J-Man (Christopher Walken), a charismatic vagabond who lends a sympathetic ear and offers words of wisdom. J-Man advises Tim to shake things up and sends him home in a taxi, feeling a sense of responsibility towards his new acquaintance.

After a night of revelry, Tim awakens to the devastating news that he may have inadvertently taken the life of Nick's beloved horse, Corkey. The discovery of the deceased equine in his backyard, with an arrow lodged in its body, is too much for him to bear. Tim hastily buries the horse in his abandoned pool.

J-Man pays a visit to return Tim's car, and it coincides with Debbie's return home with their children. She is resolute in her determination to rekindle what she has with Tim.

Nick responds by offering a substantial reward of $50,000 for the safe return of Corkey. J-Man and Tim concoct a plan, where J-Man would discover the horse's body and claim the reward, splitting the proceeds. However, J-Man decides to relocate the equine to a different location while Tim enjoys a family vacation at his rustic cabin by the lake.

Their scheme is beset by a series of unfortunate events, including the sequestering of Tim's family in J-Man's mountain cabin. The car is unable to navigate the treacherous terrain, forcing them to hike through the mountains only to find that the cabin is not as charming as initially perceived.

As Tim returns to J-Man's house, he's summoned once more to lend a hand in transporting Corkey's lifeless body onto the flatbed of J-Man's truck. However, the unyielding terrain proves too great a challenge, and the horse is instead loaded onto the roof of Tim's humble mini-van. Under the watchful eye of the rain-soaked sky, they embark on a journey to distant lands, ensuring that Corkey's carcass remains undiscovered by prying eyes.

Meanwhile, Nick drops a bombshell on Tim: an invitation to join him in Rome for the debut of Vapoorize, with a 50/50 partnership offer that Tim can't refuse. As J-Man discovers Tim's newfound wealth and lavish lifestyle, his own jealousy simmers, leading him down a treacherous path of blackmail and betrayal.

As Tim struggles to come to terms with his new reality, he confides in Nick about the weight of J-Man's demands. The latter, ever the sage mentor, offers a forgiving ear and agrees to continue their partnership. However, at Debbie's press conference for her electoral campaign – where she vows to withdraw if Vapoorize poses an environmental threat – Corkey's lifeless form floats down the river, shattering the illusion of Tim's innocence.

A post-mortem examination reveals that the horse wasn't felled by the arrow after all, but rather succumbed to a toxic by-product of Vapoorize, used by Tim in his garden to treat his apples. The veterinarian is duty-bound to report this discovery to the Environmental Protection Agency, and Vapoorize is promptly withdrawn from the market.

As Nick and Tim's fortunes teeter on the brink of collapse, Tim finds solace in an invention of his own making: Pocket Flan, born from his love for Nick's family and their shared passion for the delectable dessert. In a stunning turn of events, J-Man is spotted in the audience of Tim and Nick's infomercial for Pocket Flan, hinting at a reconciliation.