Joseph Gordon-Levitt has come under fire from members of Italian American One Voice Coalition for promoting racial stereotypes in his new movie Don Jon.

In the film, written and directed by Gordon-Levitt, The Dark Knight Rises star plays a pornography addict who embarks on a romance with his Jewish love interest, portrayed by Scarlett Johansson.

The film, which serves as Gordon-Levitt's directorial debut, has received rave reviews, but bosses at the Italian American One Voice Coalition claim the movie casts Jews and Italians in a negative light.

A statement from organisation founder Dr. Emanuele Alfano, reads: "Here we go again with the same shop-worn, racist stereotypes of Italian Americans in movies. It never ends.

"Levitt, himself the son of proud parents who once founded the Jewish Progressive Alliance and fought for social justice causes, should be ashamed of himself for the negative portrayal of Italians and Jews in his movie."

In 2009, members of the group protested the U.S. reality show Jersey Shore, claiming it denigrated Italians.