A nostalgic screenwriter, Gil, vacationing in Paris with his fiancée Inez and her parents, becomes enchanted with the city, finding himself yearning for the golden age of the 1920s, when artists and writers flocked to the vibrant metropolis. He dreams of abandoning his lucrative but unfulfilling Hollywood career to write a novel that reflects his appreciation for a bygone era. Inez, more pragmatic and materialistic, dismisses his ambitions, creating tension between them. As they mingle with Inez's pretentious friends and a pedantic professor, Gil feels increasingly alienated, longing for a more romantic and artistic lifestyle.

One night, while wandering the streets of Paris alone and a little drunk, Gil finds himself mysteriously transported back in time to the 1920s after the clock strikes midnight. He begins to live a double life, spending his days in the present with Inez and her parents and his nights in the past with his literary heroes. In the luminous world of the past, he rubs shoulders with legendary figures like Ernest Hemingway, F. Scott Fitzgerald, and Gertrude Stein, who become his confidants and critics. This enchanting escapade into history not only gives Gil a fresh perspective on life but also informs his own writing, inspiring him to find his authentic voice.