Emma Bovary is bored by her country doctor husband and gives in to the affections of several rich suitors as well as the temptation of living beyond her husband's means.

50年代的意大利，战争带来的恶劣余韵还在持续着，面对强大的生存压力和微薄的养老金，曾经为政府辛辛苦苦工作几十年的退休者们终于呐喊着走上了街头，但很快便被警察驱散了。在散开的人群中，温贝尔托显得格外的凄凉，他身无分文又生了病…