影片表现了罗马郊区的青少年、妓女和拉皮条的人的生活，反映了流氓无产者和被社会所唾弃的人的生活世界。这部影片充满自然主义，高潮部分带有强烈的宗教狂热，穿插着梦幻，但又有明显的社会和心理特点，影片以主人公富有隐喻的死结束。导演在该片中大量运用了实际生活中的语言。

　　Successful businessman Thomas (about 55), who has chosen to live in Rome, has dedicated his whole life to his work. When his kind and understanding wife Elisa dies, however, his life takes a turn for the worse. His daughter Beatrice, who has broken off her studies and is now living in a mission in India, is more eager than ever to stay there now that her mother has died. Thomas, who always pictured a sensible life for his daughter, decides to go there himself and fetch her back. The chaotic conditions in India and the misery in the streets is all too much for him, yakubd.cc however, as are the charitable nuns who receive him at the mission. When Beatrice realizes why he has come, father and daughter have a fierce argument. Sister Beth, who supports Beatrice's decision, is a thorn in Thomas's side. Defeated, he leaves the fray # only to find he's missed his flight home. He has to wait a few days more for the next one, and during this time he changes his plans. Dressed in Indian clothing, he ...