We knew it. Eat Pray Love is probably the USA’s worst diplomatic move since neon orange cheese slices.

In Italy, where Eat Pray Love just hit theatres, critics thought Julia Roberts’ screen foray into their home country was based on ignorant Italian stereotypes from the 1950s.

When Julia Roberts makes her life-changing, shallow pit stop into Italy, its natives gesticulate wildly like cartoons, they’re misogynist, and as a La Repubblica writer said: “It Rains Spaghetti.”

Yes, Italy’s own prime minister is a complete baseline stereotype, and cast members on the Jersey Shore aren’t doing anyone any favors by claiming to be ‘typical Italians’ (they’re like, third generation).

But there’s also a thriving global indie community paving the way for names like A Classic Education, Ex-Otago and Le Man Avec Les Lunettes. Surely times are changing, and It may be time to put the Italian caricature to bed — or at least allow Italians (from Italy!!) to define themselves.

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