Woody Allen is presenting his latest film "To Rome with Love" in the city that inspired it, but some hometown critics are grumbling that the American director's new movie leans too hard on old stereotypes.
Allen told journalists Friday in the Italian capital that Americans think of Italy as an "enormously warm ... easygoing place to live."
That assessment of Italy, which is now enduring economic austerity measures, sparked objections from some Italians at Friday's screening, with one contending it was superficial. Only Italian journalists were invited to the screening.
The film stars Allen, Penelope Cruz, Alec Baldwin and Italian Oscar-winning comic actor/director Roberto Benigni.
"To Rome with Love" opens June 22 in the United States.
