How to reconcile wealth, comfort, respectability freedom, fantasy and desire? This is the dilemma of Kate, chaperoned by a rich aunt after the death of his mother, who the press to marry a wealthy suitor, as she has an affair with journalist Merton Densher. That's when she befriends the American Milly Theale, visiting London. Both go on a trip to Venice, accompanied by Merton. Kate then finds a solution to his love dilemma lay in the arms of Merton Milly it knows are bound by an incurable disease.