The film is set in Marais, a quiet region along the banks of Loire river in 1918. Riton is afflicted with a bad-tempered wife and three unruly children. Garris lives alone with his recollections of World War I trenches. Their daily life consists of seasonal work and visits from their two pals: Tane, the local train conductor and Amédée, a dreamer and voracious reader of classics.
Jacques Villeret
as Henri Pignol, aka Riton
Jacques Gamblin
as Garriss
André Dussollier
as Amédée
Michel Serrault
as Hyacinthe Richard, aka 'Pépé la Rainette'
Isabelle Carré
as Marie
Éric Cantona
as Joseph "Jo" Sardi
Suzanne Flon
as Cri-Cri Pignol, aged
Jacques Dufilho
as Old man
Gisèle Casadesus
as Mrs. Mercier
Roland Magdane
as Félix
Élisabeth Commelin
as Marthe
Julie Marboeuf
as Emilie
