In 1980s Paris a man, fresh from his release from prison, is rejected by his wife. After a violent confrontation he throws himself from the apartment window, an act witnessed by his three young daughters.

In present day Paris the three daughters, now grown up, live their own lives. Sophie (Emmanuelle Beart), the eldest, is married with young children but suspects her husband of having an affair. The youngest, Anne (Marie Gillain), is a student involved in a messy relationship with one of her tutors. Middle sister Celine (Karin Viard) lives a solitary and joyless life, caring for their difficult mother. When a young man starts to take an interest in her, she little suspects the true motive behind his approaches...

Written by Krzysztof Kieslowski & Krzysztof Piesiewicz shortly prior to Kieslowski's death, this film is the second of a planned trilogy of Heaven, Hell and Purgatory.