Two couples are each heading for divorce. The academics Lene and Lars after less than two years of marriage, while working class Lone and Peter are to split after 12 years. How did it come to this? Switching between the two marriages, their stories are being uncovered from social, psychological, political and sexual perspectives. Does it come to a verdict on marriage as an institution?

Combining the exultant sweep of epic period drama with the subtle intimacy of biography in a social perspective, this is a tale of materially impoverished childhood, struggling early manhood and an unrequited first love turned into good musical fortune for Carl Nielsen, one of the great composers of the 20th century. Based on the composer's autobiography, the film itself is designed to soar like a symphony.