Director Donald Petrie denied suggestions the script was watered down to secure access to ancient sites, saying restrictions to protect monuments were obvious.

"If the script had had a paintball war in ancient Olympia, I think they would have said no," he said.

"The only major restriction for us is that we treat the sites as they are. We don't bring in fake Roman columns," he said, smiling.

The love interest for the film is Alexis Georgoulis, an actor in a local television series.

"It's a romantic comedy, and we wanted a Greek actor who was experienced but not necessarily well known internationally," Vardalos said. "We found Alexis Georgoulis. He's a great kisser, a great actor and a great guy."

Dreyfuss said he had always wanted to come to Greece and was enjoying his time here.

"This (movie) is about the ever present possibility of love," Dreyfuss said.

"My Life in Ruins" is the first major project helped by the Hellenic Film Commission, recently created by Greece's Culture Ministry to lure international filmmakers to Greece.