A henpecked housewife ekes out a meager existence, surrounded by a host of colorful characters: her ungrateful husband, her delinquent sons, her headstrong mother-in-law, and her sex worker neighbor, among others.
Rodrigo Díaz de Vivar, “Mio Cid”, is in love with Jimena, but the Count of Oviedo, his father, challenges him to a duel and is killed. He before him curses Rodrigo, that if he marries Jimena, he will lose his manly faculties. And, in fact, when he gets married, Rodrigo becomes effeminate.
Adela and her baby move to Madrid in search of a new start after a tough separation. Antonia is a shop owner with three adult daughters. The film is divided into five chapters revolving around their health, work, relationships and money.
After a period of inactivity, Crisanto, a police inspector, returns to the service. When a friend of his is murdered, he decides to take over the investigation.
An array of outrageous people, including a desperate nymphomaniac and a terrorist with an acute sense of smell, seek love and happiness in Madrid.