Journalist Marcello is an observer and participant in all episodes of the life of the Italian elite of the late 50s. Women, like shadows, replace each other without touching his feelings; even the appearance of the American film star Sylvia, the embodiment of sexuality and vice, does not bring him out of his stupor. The sudden suicide of his friend Steiner, who came to the conclusion that their life was meaningless, leads Marcello to catharsis, but for how long...