Based on a Dostoyevsky story, White Nights is a fascinating tale of the obsessive and complicated love affair between a reserved clerk (Marcello Mastroianni) and an enigmatic young woman (Maria Schell). The two meet just after Schell's sailor lover (Jean Marais) has abandoned her, and their strange but passionate romance is mixed with melancholy and desperation. Featuring strong performances by all three leads, the film takes place in a dreamlike city modeled after Venice. Though the influence of neo-realism can be found throughout the film, White Nights is an important example of Visconti's transition away from that type of filmmaking.