Maurice lives in a small apartment with his disabled father Marcel. Marcel, a former boxer, refused to take part in rigged fights twenty years ago. Maurice is eighteen years old, 1.90 and 100 kilos.

Maurice dreams of becoming a violinist. But his father, a former boxing champion crippled by his bouts, has other dreams for his pudgy but strong 18 year old son. He wants Maurice to become the next Champ. Concerned about his son's lack of machismo, the father arranges a tryst between Maurice and Nora, an aging femme fatale. Unfortunately Nora's jealous husband suddenly interrupts their romantic interlude. Maurice accidentally kills the husband in the ensuing scuffle. United by the tragedy, Nora and Maurice eventually fall in love.