Dewi, who has many love problems with her boyfriends, falls into the arms of Dayan, her boss, who also has a problem after becoming a successful businessman. Being told by his doctor that he has only a few months left to live, he suddenly feels the emptiness at home. His wife, Anneke, has her own occupation. His two children are studying abroad, while the youngest rarely sleeps at home and eventually dies while playing Russian roulette. Dayan and Dewi find a mutual need to release the burden. The situation changes with the appearance of Ferico, an old school friend of Dewi, who continues to pursue her after his divorce. Both Dayan and Dewi finally return to their partners. Director Arifin chooses a “poetic” style of telling the story so that the storyline follows the internal conflicts of the characters. The poetry is also characterized by slick photography.

Eri is arrested for murder. At that time, he was with his girlfriend, Rita, an orphan who makes a living from singing, and who supports Eri financially. Rita has waited faithfully for Eri’s release for seven years and she even picks him up when he gets out of prison. Eri meets Ayu for the first time when he helps her to replace her car tyre. Eri changes his name to Heru Damanik and starts to see Ayu, a wealthy widow with one child, and he eventually marries her.

Bram and Nona marry without her parent’s approval, as she is already arranged to marry Paul. The life of the husband and wife is only supported by Bram’s small salary so they live in the slums, which is realistically depicted. They also have problems with Nien, Bram’s old unmarried sister.

Director Teguh Karya intended to make a “real” comedy amidst the many slapstick comedies at the time, and in fact calls this film a bitter comedy. In the film, Ms. Sumirah, a widow who used to be a favourite pretty girl in Padalarang, worries about her daughter Anna, who is shy and self-conscious. She keeps pushing Anna’s brother, Willy, to invite home a co-worker from the clothing factory he works in. Then a change occurs after Anna meets Jaka, an English teacher living near her house. When their relationship starts to bloom, it is found out that Jaka is the son of Saodah, a woman who once had an affair with Sumirah’s husband, Van Nijs. Sumirah changes her mind and opposes their relationship. Finally Anna and Jaka elope.