Tuscany, 1936. Giovanni Mansani is thirty years old, has a good job at a bank, a wife and a young son. His life goes by peacefully, no stress, no worries – and also, no real passion. One day, while waiting to take the train to his new job in Livorno, the city where he lived when he was a younger man, Giovanni bumps into Maria on the platform. He doesn’t recognize her straight away. He lets her depart; this relationship isn’t allowed. Then he’s flooded with memories: the sea, sand dunes, umbrella pines, his crazy, teenage love affair.
Giovanni organizes to see her again and sets up a meeting on the beach. Maria’s been with many men and Giovanni hopes to have a casual, uncomplicated affair with her. But Maria gives herself to him with unbridled passion. Giovanni is completely thrown. Nothing will ever be the same again.