When underwear factory worker Silvia (Penelope Cruz) falls pregnant by her boyfriend and boss Jose Luis (Jordi Mulla), Jose's domineering mother, Conchita (Stefania Sandrelli) takes immediate action to prevent them getting married. Selecting the sexy would-be bullfighter Raul (Javier Bardem) from the local ham factory, Conchita pays him to seduce Silvia and persuade her to break off the engagement to Jose.