Oscar Nominations: 2
Foreign-Language Film
Actress: Sophia Loren
This Italian comedy, well-directed by Vittorio De Sica, offers a nice vehicle for its two actors, Marcello Mastroianni and Sophia Loren, then the most popular stars in Italy and also recognized names internationally.
Upon finding out that his mistress (Loren) is dying, Mastroianni hurries to he bedside, where they recall their life together. He agrees to honor her dying wish, that they be married, only to discover afterwards that she had tricked him. She is not dying at all, but wanted to prevent him from marrying a younger woman. Mastroianni has the marriage annulled, but Loren has a few surprises up her sleeve.
The foreign-language category has different rules than the acting category, which explains why the comedy was nominated for the Foreign Oscar in 1965. The winner that year was the Czech film, The Shop on Main Street.
Sophia Loren, who won the Best Actress for Two Women, lost out to Julie Andrews, who won for Mary Poppins