Michele returns to Italy, to his native village, along with his French wife, Agnes. While Michele rejects any contact with the locals, his young wife is open and friendly – but her willingness is interpreted as an invitation by the towns’ two young toughs, Michele’s cousin Angelino and his friend Ottaviano. During a holiday celebration at a nearby town, Angelino and Ottaviano discover that Michele has gone to visit a prostitute, and decide to pay a visit to Agnes. Once again, however, Angelino mistakes her friendliness for an invitation. He is violently rejected. Humiliated and surprised by Ottaviano at the moment of his rejection, Angelino destroys the room, accidentally injuring his friend, and even tries to attack Agnes – who is saved by Ottaviano’s intervention. A short time later, Michele returns home, drunk. He accuses his wife, who tells him that she destroyed the room herself in anger when he didn’t return. Michele confused, gives in. Next morning, Agnes leaves. Her departure reveals the pain hidden in their daily lives, but also releases a luminous sense of liberation.