미국인 건축가가 이탈리아에 도착한다. 그는 타원형 구조물로 유명한 프랑스 건축가 불리를 지도하게 된다. 9개월의 코스를 거치는 동안, 그는 복통으로 괴로워하고 아내와 아직 태어나지 않은 아이를 잃는데...

Career counsellor Michael Thornton decides to change his career and become an actor. He dreams of performing Shakespeare but ends up in a television ad where only his hands appear on camera. He finds a friend in actress Mary McAllister (Nicole Kidman) until she is called to Hollywood to star in a horror feature. Katrina Foster plays Michael's understanding wife Helen, who supports him while he pursues his elusive dream.