A family convene on a Swedish island following the return of the father "David" (Gunnar Björnstrand) from an extended period in Switzerland where has was ostensibly completing his novel. The family consist of his daughter "Karin" (Harriet Andersson) and her doctor husband "Martin" (Max von Sydow) and his seventeen year old son "Minus" (Lars Passgård). From the outset, it's clear that there are issues facing these relatives - they want to be the ideal, loving family but "Karin" has just returned from a psychiatric hospital and her younger brother has issues feeling valued and dealing with the op...