Thirty-something sailor Martin Eden (Luca Marinelli) is inspired to remake himself as a novelist, following a chance encounter with the sophisticated, wealthy Elena (Jessica Cressy). She immediately becomes not only the object of his passionate affections, but also the symbol of the status Martin aspires to achieve. Pursuing his newfound social and literary obsessions, Martin abandons his friends and working-class roots without hesitation, but eventually undergoes a political awakening that triggers yet another change. Based on the 1909 novel by Jack London.