Dr. Ragin, head psychiatrist at a mental institution, is initially dismissive of the plight of his patients. However, when he discovers Gromov, a patient with an utterly original philosophical outlook, Ragin becomes fascinated and spends hours locked in debate with this unique man, shunning the company of others. Eventually Ragin ends up as a miserable patient in his own hospital. With his propensity towards loneliness, estrangement and introspection, Doctor Ragin can be considered as one of the key figures not only in Chekhov's works, but also in world literature of the 20th century. Shakhnazarov has consciously moved the story into the present day mixing documentary and fiction. The film was shot in a real life psychiatric clinic with the patients performing alongside the professional actors.