Tim, portrayed by Paul Rudd, is an ambitious business executive living the high life with a stunning apartment, a beautiful girlfriend, and a snazzy Porsche. However, he longs to escape the confines of the 6th floor where the air is thick with the scent of cabbage, dreaming instead of the esteemed 7th floor office. In a bold move, he suggests an innovative strategy during a board meeting led by Lance Fender, the company's head played by Bruce Greenwood. Tim aims to woo the Swiss Muellers, a wealthy couple with a $100 million portfolio, through a unique appreciation for modern art.
His proposal earns approval, and with Tim taking the lead on the project, his fortunes seem to improve when Mr. Mueller takes a liking to him. Yet to further impress his boss, Tim must secure an unusual guest for Fender's exclusive dinner party—a gathering he whimsically dubs a “Dinner for Schmucks,” requiring the most eccentric individual to entertain the corporate execs.
Enter Barry, an outlandishly quirky character played by Steve Carell. Their fateful encounter occurs when Barry accidentally steps in front of Tim's Porsche on his way to the taxidermist, proudly showcasing his latest diorama creation. Tim invites Barry to his apartment, and despite his reclusive nature, Barry enthusiastically accepts, interpreting the invitation as a welcome change from his usual solitary existence.
However, as Barry becomes part of Tim's life, chaos ensues. Tim's girlfriend, Julie, is drawn into a misunderstanding orchestrated by Barry, who mistakenly identifies her as a stalker named Darla and accuses Tim of cheating. The fallout is catastrophic—Julie storms out, and Tim's life unfolds into more entangled troubles. In a desperate attempt to locate Julie, Tim and Barry break into Kieran, an artist’s apartment, only to discover Kieran's intentions to pursue Julie.
Their misadventures continue as they visit Barry's office, where they encounter Therman, a menacing figure played by Zach Galifianakis, who possesses a bizarre ability to control Barry's actions. Instead of finding useful information to help Tim, they only manage to complicate matters further.
As the day of the Muellers' lunch arrives, Tim concocts an excuse for Julie’s absence, claiming she is injured. Ironically, Barry arrives with Darla, misleading everyone into believing she is Tim’s fiancée, prompting an unexpected proposal from Tim that only adds to his turmoil when the real Julie arrives.
Amidst this chaos, Barry, feeling responsible for a series of blunders, seeks to learn Therman’s address. Tensions peak at the ranch when Tim, trying to apologize to Julie, overhears Barry’s belief that he is merely a fool. However, hope shines through as Muellers reach out after their experience at the disastrous lunch, sharing that they have a similar event in Switzerland featuring a guest who is delightfully peculiar—Barry has stolen the show at Fender's dinner!
In a comedic climax, Tim and Barry find themselves up against a slew of oddballs, including a ventriloquist, an animal communicator, and a champion beard grower, all while Barry showcases his exceptional mice dioramas. Yet, when Therman arrives, the competition gets fierce and Barry suddenly taps into newfound confidence, realizing he can counter Therman's mind control.
With a heartwarming speech, Tim challenges the executives about their treatment of the “schmucks,” declaring them the true fools. The ensuing chaos results in physical comedy as a blind fencer disrupts the gathering, leading to a frantic escape through a window.
Back in Tim's apartment, he laments about losing Julie, blissfully unaware she has returned and is ready to rekindle their romance. Meanwhile, Barry convinces Kieran to pursue a different path, and both friends find solace in their bond. As the narrative closes, we learn of Tim and Julie's success in launching a modern art museum, while Barry finds happiness with his own artistic endeavors. Therman, now infamous for his failed self-help book, leaves us chuckling, and as the credits roll, we receive the shocking news that Fender's company has collapsed, earning him the dubious title of the greatest loser in Forbes.
Through laughter, heartache, and a bit of wild art-making, the tale of Tim and Barry illustrates that despite life’s absurdities, friendship and creativity can pave the way to unexpected success.
