1929年的越南是法国殖民地,一个15岁的法国少女(珍·玛奇 饰)在西贡女子寄宿学校读书。每逢假期她便回家,母亲办了一所很小的学校,收入甚少。她有两个哥哥,大哥比尔吸毒成瘾且横行霸道,二哥保罗生性懦弱,常受大哥的欺负。一天少女一如往常一样告别母亲乘上渡船回学校,在船上遇到一个坐黑色大轿车的中国阔少爷(梁家辉 饰),他是华侨富翁的独生子。中国男人喜欢这名白人少女便去搭讪,两人便搭上了。 少女在寄宿学校里知道有的女生在外卖淫,她也想找个有钱人试试,因此很主动地与男人交谈。上岸后两人逛了西贡,还一起上馆子吃中国饭菜,男人用汽车送她回学校。第二天刚放学,黑色汽车就等在校门口了。 两人很快就坠入爱河。男人把少女带到他的公馆,这是中国富人们常用来金屋藏娇的地方。他俩在这里幽会、洗澡、玩耍。有时晚上也不回学校,校方只好通知她的母亲,然而……It is French Colonial Vietnam in 1929. A young French girl from a family that is having some monetary difficulties is returning to boarding school. She is alone on public transportation when she catches the eye of a wealthy Chinese businessman. He offers her a ride into town in the back of his chauffeured sedan, and sparks fly. Can the torrid affair that ensues between them overcome the class restrictions and social mores of that time? Based on the semi-autobiographical novel by Marguerite Duras.