影片讲的是,忠厚本分的年轻人皮特是个泥瓦匠,他十分孝顺父母,还亲自为他们造了一所房子。然而父母对他的态度似乎并没有因此而好转。之后,他遇上了心爱的女人艾瑞卡。他们一起搬到了慕尼黑,然而,生活的重压,金钱上的困窘却让皮特这个年轻人渐渐改变,最终沦为了阶下囚,而这一切只是为了让妻子爱他…… 该片被一些评论家认为是莱纳尔·沃纳尔·法斯宾德的最佳电影代表作。A man is interviewed by a sympathetic woman. His tale unfolds, of hard work that never pleases his parents, of a father who denigrates his efforts, of an indifferent mother. He builds them a house. Instead of offering their flat to him and his bride, they give the flat up, so he goes to Munich to work in construction, bringing his wife who is soon pregnant. They buy things on credit; he works overtime. He shows up with flowers and expensive gifts. When construction slows and he works less overtime, he cannot adjust his spending habits: he needs to be loved. Pressures mount. When he snaps, and violence ensues, who will be his victim?