Gilbert Vance (Piccoli) is an aging, well-respected actor starring in a stage production of “Exit the King” opposite beautiful Sylvie (Leonor Silveira). Then he receives devastating news: his wife, daughter, and son-in-law have all been killed in an auto accident. Assuming guardianship of his grandson, with whom he develops a close bond, Vance returns to work in a screen version of “Ulysses” directed by priggish American filmmaker John Crawford (Malkovich).