Three Coins in the Fountain is a classic romantic drama film directed by Jean Negulesco and released in 1954. The movie is based on a novel of the same name by John H. Secondari and starred Clifton Webb, Dorothy McGuire, Jean Peters, Louis Jourdan, and Maggie McNamara.
The story is set in Rome, Italy, and revolves around three American women who work for the U.S. government. They become enchanted with the local culture and lifestyles and hope to find true love. To make their wishes come true, they throw three coins into the Trevi Fountain, believing that their wishes will be granted if the coins land in the water.
As the story progresses, each of the women starts to pursue the man of her dreams. Frances, played by Dorothy McGuire, is in love with her employer, John Frederick Shadwell, a successful author who is happy to remain single and devoted to his work. Anita, played by Jean Peters, falls for a local Italian man named Giorgio Bianchi, who works in their office. Meanwhile, Maria, played by Maggie McNamara, meets a handsome Italian Prince named Dino di Cessi (Louis Jourdan) at a party, and they soon fall in love.
Throughout the movie, the three women navigate through the ups and downs of their romantic relationships while experiencing the beauty and charm of Rome's cultural atmosphere. However, they soon discover that finding true love is not as easy as they had hoped, and they must overcome several obstacles to seal their fate.
As the movie progresses, Frances becomes increasingly frustrated by her inability to capture John's attention, while Anita's relationship with Giorgio becomes complicated due to a series of misunderstandings and office politics. Maria, on the other hand, must win the approval of her prince's family and navigate the complexities of social status before she and Dino can be together.
Ultimately, the three women must decide what they truly want and which sacrifices they are willing to make to achieve their goals. The film is a timeless classic that explores the complicated nature of romance and the beauty of Rome's rich cultural heritage.
