Synopsis 
 
A Midsummer’s day. Paul, 16, suddenly appears at his relatives’ house. His uncle and aunt live in a random place in the countryside of Germany’s East. The last family meeting is quite a while ago and had a rather unpleasant reason: Paul’s father had committed suicide. Now the boy returns to the place that reminds him of the untroubled days of his childhood. Uncle Stefan and Aunt Anna feel obliged to take him in.

Anna isn’t happy about Paul’s visit. She is busy preparing son Robert, 16, for his career as a professional piano player. Robert wants to study at the local conservatory and has to practice hard for the entrance examination. Paul, fearing to be sent home again, offers to renovate the rotten swimming pool in the garden. Anna can’t reject this offer and lets Paul stay.

Clumsily Stefan tries to comfort Paul, but then unexpectedly has to leave on a business trip. This leaves Anna with her pubescent son Robert, erratic Paul and coddled dog Schumann. Once she realizes that Paul acts completely independent, her rejection slowly turns into affection. Encouraged by Anna’s growing sympathy, Paul increasingly seeks her company.

As Robert’s examination draws nearer, tension between son and mother grows. Anna, herself being a former professional piano player, doesn’t want to accept the fact that her highly talented son has outgrown her. She doesn’t realize that it’s time to let go. She gains control over Paul and uses him in her struggle with her son. She drags Paul on her side and abuses his emotional weakness without considering the consequences.

Robert disgustedly observes that and retreats. On the day of the examination the situation escalates. Robert boycotts the exam and accidentally observes Anna going too far in her game with Paul.

For Paul there now is only one future: one with Anna. However, Anna realizes that she has lost control over her life. Once again her son Robert has to suffer from her pent-up exasperation.

As Stefan returns from his business trip, Anna tries to appease the situation and to recover the speciousness of harmony. She rigidly rejects Paul. Painfully Paul realizes that this family is none of his anymore. He departs, but first he takes revenge.