Mr. Lazarescu is 63 years old and lives in a block of flats, together with Nusu, Mirandolina and Fritz, his three cats. His wife died eight years ago and Bianca, his daughter, has moved to Canada. It’s a Saturday evening. Mr. Lazarescu doesn’t feel too well, so he calls for an ambulance. While the paramedics arrive, he tries to ease his pain with something from his own supply of medicines. Because he is short of the pills he needs, he asks for his neighbours’ help. Interrupted from their domestic tasks, Sandu and Miki, give him the first aid, although they can smell he’s been drinking. What looked like a headache from a hangover turns out to be a much more serious affliction when Lazarescu, witnessed by the two neighbours, throws up blood.