In the film, Sophia Loren plays the role of Cesira, a woman fleeing the horrors of World War II in Italy with her daughter. During their journey, they find themselves in a small village where Cesira is forced to take a job washing dishes. The ring she wears (a family heirloom) causes her to break many of the plates, adding to her misfortunes.
The film is a powerful and moving story about the resilience of the human spirit in the face of adversity, and Sophia Loren's performance earned her an Academy Award for Best Actress.