Cemented by 1955 as a leading lady, Sophia Loren made the unexpected choice to take a supporting role to Franca Valeri, whose star was also on the rise as both performer and writer. With The Sign of Venus, Valeri shares a co-writing credit with four established male writers and screen time with Loren as the women play polar-opposite cousins Cesira and Agnese, both unlucky in love in their own unique ways. While Agnese (Loren) is dizzy with advances, Cesira (Valeri) longs for romance but is constantly thwarted. As a nod to astrology and the psychic who attempts to foretell fate, the title hints at the irony of each’s romantic woes.