After Faranguisse (Maria de Medeiros) becomes furious with her musician husband Nasser-Ali (Mathieu Amalric) for neglecting his parental duties, she takes his cherished violin and shatters it in a fit of rage. This act sends Nasser-Ali on a profound quest to find a new violin, but after acquiring a Stradivarius and attempting to play it, he comes to a heartbreaking realization: he has lost not just his instrument, but his desire to play and, ultimately, to live. Faced with despair, he explores various suicide methods before choosing to remain in bed, waiting for death to claim him.
As he lies there, Nasser-Ali begins to visualize his life—including poignant memories of his past and unsettling glimpses of the future. He envisions his eldest daughter Lili marrying a man her mother approves of, divorcing him, and embarking on a tumultuous affair with an actor. This affair ends tragically when the actor dies from a heart attack, leading Lili down a dark path of smoking, drinking, and gambling. Eventually, she suffers three heart attacks, with the devastating third taking her life. Meanwhile, Nasser-Ali's younger son finds his way to America, where he becomes a grandfather following the birth of a son named Jimmy-Nassar, after his overweight daughter faces a health scare.
As Nasser-Ali remains locked in his morose state, Faranguisse grows increasingly worried and prepares his favorite meal: chicken with plums. Through their interactions, it is revealed that Faranguisse harbored feelings for Nasser-Ali since childhood, patiently waiting as he rose to fame. His mother (Isabella Rossellini) pressured him into marrying her upon his return. When she tries to offer him the beloved dish, he coldly rejects it, unable to forgive her for the destruction of his violin.
On the fifth day of his self-imposed exile from the world, Nasser-Ali recalls a poignant moment from his past when his dying mother asked him to cease praying for her, as his prayers prolonged her suffering. Stopping the prayers allowed her spirit to escape as a wisp of smoke above her grave. It's then that he realizes his youngest son is praying for his own well-being.
By the sixth day, he is confronted by the angel of death. Though he expresses a desire to live, the angel regretfully informs him that it is too late for such wishes.
On the final day of his life, Nasser-Ali dreams of Irane (Golshifteh Farahani), a significant figure from his past. He first met Irane while studying the violin; though his technical skills were commendable, his teacher said he lacked the emotional depth known as soul in his music. Nasser-Ali later encounters her on the street, following her to her father's clock shop. He buys a clock and returns multiple times, manipulating opportunities to see her again. Ultimately, he proposes, but her father forbids the union, claiming Nasser-Ali will struggle to support her financially. Irane reluctantly yields to her father's wishes.
As the years pass, Nasser-Ali's heartache transforms him into a profound musician with true emotional resonance. He embarks on a global tour, while Irane, in compliance with her father's desires, marries another man, has children, and eventually becomes a grandmother. Fatefully, after Nasser-Ali replaces the broken violin, he unexpectedly encounters Irane once again, but she walks past him with her grandson, not recognizing him. Although she feels the memories surge, she hides her emotions as she turns the corner and quietly weeps.
Ultimately, Nasser-Ali meets his end on the eighth day, leaving behind a legacy of memories and music. Irane, still carrying the weight of their untold story, attends his funeral in secrecy, mourning the man who was once hers.
