In the Hollywood remake, Tim Wagner (Paul Rudd) will do anything to get a promotion, even if it means participating in his boss Lance Fender's (Bruce Greenwood) bizarre annual " dinner for losers". Employees have to bring along a guest with a "special talent": the bigger the schmuck - loser - the better.
Despite his reservations about the scheme, Tim is determined to get the promotion. He brings along Barry Speck (Steve Carell), a naive tax department employee who creates lifelike dioramas with stuffed mice.
During the dinner, Barry needs to overcome his own fears and challenge his nemesis, his own boss (Zach Galifianakis), in a game of "mind control".
It's absurd, yes - and might just work as a setup for great comedy. But Schmucks is just not that funny. The movie's script is very weak in places. It doesn't help, either, that the lineup of Carell, Rudd and Roach sends your expectations soaring.
After watching the film, you're left wondering: Who's the real schmuck here? Barry, the film's foolish protagonist? Or us, for sitting through a screwball comedy that fails to deliver?