This biographical drama is an attempt to tell the story of the life of St. Joseph (Diego Abatantuono), the father-figure of the young Jesus' life, the long-suffering husband of the much younger Mary (Penelope Cruz). In this story, Joseph, a mature man, has courted any number of other women, but has not married any. Mary shows up back at his home village several months pregnant after he courted her some months before. Although he knows better, everyone in the village assumes he must have gotten her in that condition, and he marries her. This helps clear the air and his reputation. The poor carpenter is rather puzzled at Mary's insistence that he remain celibate, and eventually goes mad. No magical events appear onscreen, and the only mystery is how Mary managed to give birth to Jesus' younger brothers without the help of her husband.