Gerd Wiesler is an police officer in East German during 1980s. He develops a suspicious ideal for play writer Georg Dreyman who have always been a good citizen under people's eyes. Gerd's boss, the Minister of Culture share the shame thought with him. Moreover, the Minister also fancies Georg's partner - actress Christa-Maria. However, the longer Gerd spends watching the couples, the more his feeling about them changes.