Director Vittorio De Sica created this trilogy of romantic comedies set in different parts of Italy, with Sophia Loren and Marcello Mastroianni starring in each story. In Naples, poor Adelina supports her husband by selling black market cigarettes. In Milan, wealthy Anna is having an affair with poor Renzo, whose infatuation is tested by a near-tragedy. In Rome, prostitute Mara seeks the help of her client Augusto to spurn the advances of her neighbor's infatuated grandson (Giovanni Ridolfi).