The film is based on the novel "Oblomov" by Russian writer Ivan Goncharov. The 19th-century Russian landed gentry's life was idle and boring. Its representatives had a hard time of finding a purpose in life, of realizing their potential. Likewise, the film's protagonist, Ilya Ilyich Oblomov (Oleg Tabakov), refused to work just for the sake of building up his fortune, for he did not see in it any lofty ideal. Lying on a sofa and indulging in "philosophical" reflections on the meaning of life, he let the life slip by him, including the love of his life, Olga (Elena Solovey). Having despaired of ever getting to his heart, she married his friend, Shtoltz (Yuriy Bogatyryov).