Gilbert Valence, a seasoned actor with a long career, learns after one of his performances that his wife, daughter and son-in-law have all died in a highway accident. Valence eventually adopts his grandson and continues with his acting. He even comes close to a flirtation with one of his young co-stars but no longer has the courage to embark upon such an adventure. Valence also resists the offer of a lot of money to star in a commericial telefilm teeming with drugs, sex and violence but does accept a role to work with an American director shooting a new version of Ulysses. Valence is given very little rehearsal time since he is stepping in at the last minute for another actor. On the set, with the cameras rolling, he finally realizes it is time to quit.