Unemployed electrician Juan (Ramon Barea) leaves his family behind when he travels to Madrid in search of work. Beginning illegal construction work, Juan meets Caribbean mulatto Andy (Luis Alberto Garcia), an illegal immigrant. Juan's landlady Margarita (Marga Escudero) suggests sex for his rent, but he declines. When the construction job is complete, Juan is reduced to sleeping in doorways. He remains in contact with Andy, who introduces him to Sonia (Magalis Gainza). The three find common ground and become friends. Juan also meets junkie Beatriz (Patricia Garcia Mendez), a wealthy businessman's daughter. As Juan's descent into the numbing world of unemployment continues, he struggles to maintain his dignity. Shown at the 1997 San Sebastian Film Festival, this film is also known as Hitting Bottom.