The story takes place during World War II, when the eldest daughter Susan (Meryl Streep Charles Dance) meets the soldier Lazzare (Sam Neil Sam Neill), and the two fall in love with each other. Of course, what happened that night will not blossom and bear fruit. Susan buried this memory deep in her heart. After the war, Susan marries diplomat Raymond (Charles Dance Charles Dance). Life after marriage is very dull, and the life without worrying about food and clothing makes Susan often fall into an empty mood. One day, Susan publicly laughed at Raymond's officer Leonard (John Gielgud John Gielgud), which led to the devaluation of Raymond, resulting in a fierce dispute between the couple. After that, Lazzare reappeared in Susan's life.