Penelope Cruz talks playing a prostitute in 'To Rome With Love'

Although "To Rome With Love" does not mark Penelope Cruz's first time playing a prostitute on film, the actress took a different approach to the role in the latest Woody Allen film.

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"To Rome With Love" tells four different stories of people in Italy which includes American tourists as well as Italian residents. Cruz plays a prostitute who gets in between two Italian newlyweds. The film also stars Alec Baldwin, "The Social Network" star Jesse Eisenberg, "Juno" actress Ellen Page and Allen.

She's very professional," Cruz told reporters at the film's premiere on June 14. "She looks at her job with a lot of dignity and respect and she wants to be the best at it."

"She's convinced that she's helping people and that she's really necessary for society," Cruz added. "That's the way I prefer the character."

"To Rome With Love" marks the second time Cruz has worked with Allen. The two first worked together when Allen directed Cruz in the 2008 movie "Vicky Cristina Barcelona." Cruz won an Academy Award for Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role for her work in the film.

On working with Allen again, Cruz said, "It was a little bit easier because I knew him and I was not so nervous about all the stories that you hear about him. He is peculiar and unique and different but once you get to know him, it's really a pleasure to spend time with him because he's one of the funniest people in the world."

"He al ways surprises me because every day, every day he does something that people remember forever," Cruz added. "I love his writing. I've been a fan of his work forever. "

The film marks Cruz's first role since appear in the 2011 film "Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides." It was also the first role she has had since giving birth to her son in January 2011. The 38-year-old actress married her "Vicky Cristina Barcelona" co-star Javier Bardem in 2010. The two Oscar-winning actors first met while filming the Spanish movie "Jamon, Jamon" in 1992.

"To Rome With Love" hit theaters on June 22. Check out the trailer for the film below.

Reporting by Jenn Sterger of KABC Television, which produces the entertainment show "On The Red Carpet" (check for local TV listings).