Jean, a respected stage actor, leads a dissolute life. Separated from the mother of his son Sylvain, he devotes most of his time to work, alcohol, and women. Slyvain, going through adolescence, feels the need to be closer to his father. On an impulse, the pair set out to meet up with Bob, the American, an old friend of Jean's who lives on an isolated ranch. From then on, father and son try to mutually understand each other, with awkwardness, hesitation, and sometimes even violence.