End of the 19th and beginning of the 20th century. Young and naive young woman Angel (Romola Garai) lives somewhat daringly outside everyday reality and contemporary conventions, seemingly crucial for any success, do not reach her. Despite that, Angel is gradually becoming the successful writer as her been her dream, she wins the favours of an handsome painter. Nevertheless, her two worlds – the real and the fictional one – are incompatible and a devastating downfall is inevitable. Women are the main characters of all Ozon’s films and his first English film, based on a novel by Elizabeth Tailor, is no exception.