The film caused scandal in some quarters because it contains several explicit shots of nudity (characterised by certain critics as "gynecological")[2] and sex scenes involving the well-known actress Stefania Sandrelli.

[2][3] Desperate after 20 years of marriage at his inability to arouse his beautiful but inhibited wife Teresa, retired art teacher Nino Rolfe records his love for her and his frustration in a diary that he locks in his desk, leaving the key for her to find.

His fiancée Lisa reproaches her mother but remains complicit by not breaking off with Laszlo, who also begins taking provocative pictures of Teresa.

The effort gives him a stroke, and the story ends with his funeral, held on the day Italy enters the war.

"[1] In a retrospective review, Sight & Sound stated that "Brass makes no apology for underlining a personal preference (common to the pornography enjoyed by his generation) for frequent displays of stockings and suspenders, wispy pubic hair and above all the female posterior" while stating that "visually the film plays rewarding games with reflections and colours.