Life seems to be good for Ellen Schweizer. The attractive and successful author of historical love stories has been happily married for almost 20 years to businessmen Donald. Her children, 10-year-old Lukas and teenager Hella , are no more tiring than other kids of that age. So Ellen should be pretty content on the whole - if only she could find time to write her latest novel. At the same time, life does not seem to be particularly good for Ellen’s best friend Ulrike. It is during her 50th birthday party that she finds out her husband Gunther has run off with young secretary Kikki. And if that wouldn’t be enough: Gunther informs her about this as a “birthday present” on a video which is played back to the assembled guests. While Ulrike, who is determined to enjoy life, decides to turn over a new leaf, Ellen finds herself haunted by Ulrike’s story - and suddenly starts having doubts on her oh-so-perfect marriage.