It is the 1960's and the Vietnam War is casting its ugly shadow. Stephen is a young journalist who has been abroad for a year running a radio program. Returning to the United States, a chance encounter at a bus stop connects him to a young and innocent aspiring actress, Madeleine, who tries for and wins a contest for the title role in a forthcoming film by a famous director. Madeleine suffers demoralizing and insulting behavior at the hands of the...