During the holidays, Denis finds himself spending Christmas dinner with his lover Carl's family. Fiercely Catholic and stubbornly traditional, Carl's family are completely unaware of their son's relationship with Denis. However, a psychological cat and mouse duel takes place between Denis and Ruby, the six-year-old spoiled rotten niece of Carl.

This historical drama with music examines the life and times of Émile Nelligan, one of the major Canadian poets of the 19th century who struggled through a difficult childhood with the help of his loving mother, only to see his career cut short by tragic circumstances.