Disenchantment, irony and virtuoso acting are the distinguishingfeatures of this lively, cynical comedy set among the black marketeers,the new rich and the new poor who dominated the immediate postwar scene.Magnani plays one Gioconda Perfetti, a former fruit vendor made rich onthe black market. La Gioconda is a high-class squatter, having installedherself in the villa of Count Ghirani (Vittorio De Sica), who has yet toreturn from the evacuation. On his return, their cohabitation is ashrewd game of wits, the players growing to include Gioconda's sister,her American soldier boyfriend, cook, chambermaid and manager.