One day before being let out of prison, Rémi witnesses a concert of classical music and finds himself irresistibly affected by the terrific music as well as the conductor, the eccentric and addicted Haffner. Back in normal life, Rémy tries to cope with his days but cannot find himself yet. More or less by chance he gets to see Haffner again and befriends him. An unusual relationship begins in which one man discovers himself and the other isn't willing to change thus stays the same.
Chosen as one of the Ten Best Films of 1963 by Jean-Luc Godard. The old film of Kirk Douglas's character Jack that is being screened is The Bad and the Beautiful (1952).