The 60-year-old actress - who stars in new romantic comedy 'It's Complicated' where she plays a woman who has an affair with her ex-husband - said she doesn't mind acting out sex scenes because it's "authentic".

She said: "Sex scenes, love scenes. Yes, at this age it's unusual for somebody to do a love scene, to be making love. Yeah, that is unusual. But that is just how benighted we are. Because, you know, we still are alive. It's you and I, baby. It's authentic."

The Hollywood star - who acts alongside Alec Baldwin in the film - said she doesn't understand why some people are so surprised she is still happy to go so far at her age.

She said: "The whole idea that you have to look a certain way and be a certain age to earn love is ridiculous. We love what we love. It doesn't matter what shape it is. It's thrilling to see real people on screen."

Meryl also said it was her role in 'Julia and Julia' where she played the chef Julia Child that "broke that little barrier" for her.

She told the Sunday Times: "Everyone said, 'Isn't it remarkable that a tall overweight woman and a short bald man could be in love?' Well, yeah? You know what I mean? You're alive."