A man, Milan steps off a train, into a small French village. As he waits for the day when he will rob the town bank, he runs into an old retired poetry teacher named M. Manesquier. The two men strike up a strange friendship and explore the road not taken, each wanting to live the other's life.

Jean Rochefortas Monsieur Manesquier
Johnny Hallydayas Milan
Jean-François Stéveninas Luigi
Pascal Parmentieras Sadko
Charlie Nelsonas Max
Isabelle Petit-Jacquesas Viviane, Manesquier's mistress
Édith Scobas Manesquier's Sister
Maurice Chevitas Hairdresser
Riton Liebmanas Burly Guy
Jean-Marie Dreujou