Claudia Ivanovna is concerned about her daughter's future and the development of her career as a scientist. In accordance with her own ideas of happiness, she is trying to build a girl's personal life, unceremoniously destroying her relationship with her driver Sasha.

Russian Empire, the middle of the XIX century. Aged, beggar dramatic actor Lev Gurych Sinichkin, in search of work, wanders through the cities with his young daughter Liza. They dream that Lisa someday will succeed on stage and become a famous actress.

The film tells the story of Olga Sergeevna, a renowned oceanographer. Throughout her life, Olga Sergeevna loved only one man, with whom she was never destined to find happiness.