<p><br /> Julia Roberts' movie Eat Pray Love has been branded "kitsch" and full of cliches by Italians upset at their portrayal, but the woman behind the story has defended the film.<br /> </p><p><br /> "It's an American's dream of Italy," Elizabeth Gilbert, who wrote the bestselling book of the same name, said.<br /> </p><p><br /> The author added: "Of course it's not going to look like what a Roman thinks of Italy and it shouldn't because it's the impressions of a young woman."<br /> </p><p><br /> The movie follows Gilbert, played by Julia Roberts, who embarks on a journey around the world, taking in Italy, India and Bali.<br /> </p><p><br /> Gilbert reckons the Italian critics who do not like the movie have plenty of other great portraits of their country on the big screen to choose from.<br /> </p><p><br /> "I think they'll survive. They have enough of their own cinema. If they wanted to picture Rome they can just watch old Fellini movies," she said.<br /> </p>
