The Sign of Venus

Sophia Loren is the "Venus" of the title. Well that is how I would interpret the english title. She is not alone though and in the introduction to her character, we also learn about her cousin. Who seems to be the opposite of her. While Lorens character has to fight people off her, who are trying to woo her, her cousin has no one even noticing her.

Which clearly is a shame I would say, because she is also very pretty. Not in the sense Sophia Loren is depicted, but every one of us is different anyway. The cousins problem is not just the lack of opportunity, but her gullible and innocent way of looking at things. She believes in the best in humanity, which makes her quite vulnerable. Lorens character is also vulnerable - in the sense that she is reduced to her looks.

A very insightful character study, with a lot of little bits and pieces that build up to the inevitable conclusion of the movie. Very well acted and well written, even if today some side stories probably would have been cut out (like two male side kicks with their own set of problems and issues almost entirely unrelated to the two main female characters). Some people are fools some aren't ... some are way too good for this world and the people who live in it.