The Erdmanns' life in Berlin is tinged with denial. Not only does acclaimed physicist Mark refuse to admit that his marriage to Leah is coming apart at the seams, but it's also 1932, and the Erdmanns are Jewish. Family friend Dieter urges them to heed the signs of impending danger and leave while they still can, but Leah considers the city's cultural scene -- and her love affair with Dieter -- to be her life. Will the Erdmanns choose to seek an unknown future in America, or will their refusal to see the writing on the wall lead them to stay in Berlin and face certain tragedy?.