After a young American soldier is blinded in Israel he is put in a hospital where he shares a room with an old woman who is also blind. She thinks that he is her long-lost lover and is thrilled at his return. As she relives the happy days of her youth, both she and the soldier find themselves better

In Israel, American ex-patriot Adam volunteers for the Israeli army in order to give his life structure and meaning. Upon being wounded, he recovers in a veteran's hospital, but learns that the surgery on his injured eyes has been unsuccessful and that he will gradually go blind. Sinking into bitterness, Adam rejects his visiting father and the friendly outreach of Yael, a young nurse. Adam also cynically lashes out at his fellow patients, criticizing their fervent patriotism and unwavering support of the Israeli conflict. When elderly female patient Sokolova, who is nearly blind from cataracts, believes that Adam is the youthful lover who jilted her years earlier, he mocks her and only pretends to befriend her. Gradually, however, as Adam's vision worsens, his relationship with Sokolova changes. Affected by the old woman's courage, Adam overcomes his hostility and encourages Sokolova to have surgery that could restore her sight. As Sokolova regains her sight, Adam loses his own but comes to accept and value the world in which he lives.