Berlingeristhesortyoftwomenwhogrowuptogetherinpre-warGermany;whenRoeder'sparentsdie,Berlinger'sfathertakestheorphanedboyunderhiscare.Asthetwoboysapproachadulthood,theircontraddictorytemperamentsleadthemalongdifferentpaths:theidealisticyoungBerlinger,abrilliantchemist,refusestogivehisfather'sfactoyov...