This European buddy movie chronicles the relationship between a famed yet depressive hairdresser and the suicidal plumber who becomes his "adopted" son after he rescues him from a canal. Georges is the hairdresser who gained notoriety as a hairdresser to stars such as Grace Kelly, and Ava Gardner. His clients are all interesting. For example, there is the butcher who loves tall hair on his mistress' head, and a balding fellow who wants his remaining hair combed forward. Gus, after being mistreated in love, decides to end it all by jumping into a canal. Georges tries to save him and the soggy twosome become bosom buddies. Georges takes Gus to the Louvre where he critiques the hairstyles on the art work. After a peer breaks his arm, Georges agrees to take his place in the World Hairdressing Championships in the Czech Republic. Many surreal hairstyles are to be seen there, including replicas of the Eiffel tower, a battleship, and a burning building.