In 1931 Berlin, Jakob Fabian works in a cigarette factory by day and drifts through bars, brothels and art studios by night. When Fabian meets the beautiful and confident Cornelia, he manages to shed his pessimistic attitude and fall in love. Not long after, he loses his job and plunges back into a depression while Cornelia's career as an actress begins to take off thanks to her wealthy boss and admirer.