This farcical French movie follows a day in the life of 18th-century philosopher and sensualist Denis Diderot (Vincent Perez), producer of the world's first encyclopedia. Staying with his friends Baron and Baroness D'Holbach (François Lalande and Josiane Balasko) at their country estate, Diderot is running an illicit printing press in the cellar to produce his tome, as the government has banned it due to its 'forbidden' content. Problems soon arise when a snooping cardinal arrives to sniff out the press, but he soon veers off course when the Baroness distracts him with racy confessions. Meanwhile, Diderot has other things on his mind when attractive artist Madame Therbouche (Fanny Ardant) arrives. The film has an impressive cast and great costumes, but its historical inaccuracies, saucy innuendoes and bawdy humour give it, at times, a Carry On feel. The result is a costume comedy that is little more than an amusing romp.