After the horror of the Civil War, ignorant Christopher Newman (Matthew Modine) made his fortune. He travels to France is search of cultural treasures. He wont get past the Paris nightlife. He falls in love with Claire de Cintré (Aisling OSullivan). She was married off and traumatized by her abusive late husband for the familys sake. Her elder brother supports their ruthless mother, but Valentin (Andrew Scott) is besotted with the artist and strikes up a partnership with Christopher.