The clever lyrics of Mark Mothersbaugh’s title tune, delivered through the distinctive voice of Dan Navarro, continually reiterate this offbeat comedy’s central theme. Indeed this satiric ditty’s frequent reoccurrence is one of "Envy" ‘s pluses.

Tim (Stiller) and Nick (Black) are best buds, living across the street from one another in similar tract homes surrounded by huge power lines. They each have devoted wives, two kids, and work for the same company. Tim, however, seems destined for company advancement while Nick’s evaluation criticizes his lack of focus. A dreamer with big ideas, Nick comes up with a doozy: a spray that makes pet waste disappear. Tim, ever the pragmatist, refuses to invest in his friend’s pipe dream. Needless to say, the idea ("Vapoorize") comes to fruition, Nick makes a fortune and Tim becomes the victim of the green-eyed monster.

Of course it doesn’t help that Nick, in his childlike innocence and desire to stay close to his best friend, decides to build a mansion right across the street from Tim. The homestead is equipped with a bowling alley, a carousel, a go-cart track and a perfect white stallion, whose stable rivals the splendor of a fancy home. A yellow Lamborghini ("Poo Czar" plates), a private vineyard and Lear jet complete the awesome package. Jack Black’s manic personality is well suited for this role; his wild-eyed delight with all of his new possessions the perfect antithesis to Stiller’s increasing discomfort. It is also refreshing to have Stiller teamed with someone other than the annoyingly smarmy Owen Wilson for a change.

Ben Stiller reprises his neurotic, insecure persona as Tim, perfectly furrowing his brow in anxious jealousy. When he loses his cool and lambastes his boss, he finds himself jobless, downing drinks in a sleazy bar and spilling his guts to long-haired drifter, J-Man, played with deadpan hilarity by Christopher Walken.

Perhaps the best reason to see "Envy" is for Walken’s unique turn as the guru-bum, yet another entry in his increasing number of oddball comic roles. His J-Man is reminiscent of his off-the-wall take on pest control as the exterminator in "Mouse Hunt," and his eccentric inventor dad to Brendan Frasier in "Blast From the Past." Walken is an endlessly fascinating actor, who gives this so-so script a much-needed jolt. Even with an arrow in his back, arguing with Stiller about Nick’s dead horse, Walken steals the show. Priceless.

The over-the-top elements of this Barry Levinson comedy might irritate some snootier viewers but I found it to be laugh-out-loud amusing. From the garishness of Nick’s new fortune to the carcass of a horse atop a car to demonstrators chanting, "Where does the poo go?"—"Envy" delivers laughs for those who can leave their high expectations at the door.