Based on Evelyn Waugh's 1928 novel of the same name, Oxford University student Paul Pennyfeather is wrongly expelled for indecent exposure after falling victim to an ill-conceived prank, triggering a rather unfortunate and unexpected series of events. After his expulsion, Paul moves to Wales and takes up a teaching position, immediately falling head over heels for the Honourable Mrs Margo Beste-Chetwynde, the mother of one of his students. After agreeing to tutor her son over the summer, Paul becomes wrapped up in far more than he could have ever bargained for.