The photographer Servais (Fabio Testi) falls in love with the unsuccessful actress Nadine Chevalier (Romy Schneider). She finds him attractive too, but Nadine is married. In hopes of seeing Nadine more often, Servais secretly finances a play by the eccentric director Messala and demands that Nadine be given the leading role in the play. But the premiere is a rude awakening for all those involved.