Chasing Papi

Chasing Papi (2003) Roselyn Sanchez, Sofia Vergara, Jaci Velasquez, Eduardo Verastequi, Lisa Vidal, Freddy Rodriguez, D.L. Hughley, Maria Conchita Alonso, D: Linda Mendoza.

Inoffensive but underwhelming Latin comedy about a handsome Romeo working as an advertising executive and dating three beautiful women in three different states all at once. When they are convinced to drop everything they're doing and race to their man's side, all three women discover of his betrayal and get wrapped up in a quandary together.

If it weren't for a plot about a bag of money, this silly story wouldn't go anywhere. It's fun, but a smile is the closest thing you'll find to a single laugh.

Running Time: 80 minutes and rated PG for mild sensuality and language.

RATING: ** (out of ****)

I was attracted to this movie after seeing Sofia Vergara on one of the late night talk shows. Anyway, after watching her interview, "Chasing Papi" became a must see, but I didn't actually see it until this week when it hit Pay-per-View.

I have to admit that the first time I watched it I was a bit dismayed that the plot seemed thin, but being that virtually every scene involved Sofia, I really didn't care. You can look at her a thousand times and each time you will will see something new that makes her appear even more beautiful.

So naturally I watched the movie again, and this time I noticed that the movie flowed a bit better and that the plot wasn't as thin as I originally thought it was. Couple that with Sofia looking better than in the first viewing, and I can only surmise that this movie will get BETTER with each repeated viewing.

I know what my schedule is like for the rest of the year!

I had high expectations for this film. I had seen the trailers, and was expecting a joyride of a movie. It was a ride, but not a joyful one. The pace of the movie was so fast that there was not really any chance to enjoy the characters or the story that could have been great. Three beautiful women all vying for the same beautiful guy. What could have been just never was. No character development whatsoever. No real laughs. No plot explanation. I never understood what was so great about this guy, or so bad about the women that they would fight so hard for him. CP can be a fun movie like a child's roller coaster. Kinda fast, kinda fun, but not really.

Obviously this movie would have been terrible without the attractive women, but it was still very entertaining. I'm surprised at people that gave this movie a score of 1, I don't know what people expected of this movie but it was exactly what I expected, and cute comedy with a somewhat very thin plot with some fun times. Nothing more.

The movie was obviously attempting to be like one of the classic screwball romantic comedies. It succeeds in the style, but not exactly the comedy. Don't get me wrong, there are laughs, but it could've been a lot funnier. I blame part of the failed comic attempts on the writing and part on the actors. They should've just filmed the movie in Spanish. Some of the Hispanic actors really seemed to struggle with the English dialogue. In comedy, it's all about timing, so the expression of the dialogue must be on target. I give the actors points for effort, but all that hard work could've been spared if they spoke in their native language.

I think what mainly makes the film work for me is the fast pace. Despite how silly each situation is, the pace is fast enough to prevent you from dwelling on the silliness. Plus, seeing three beautiful Latina women strut their stuff throughout doesn't hurt either. I saw Sofia Vergara before in "Big Trouble," but she looks different in the movie and I might not have remembered from that previous film because well...I'm trying not to remember it period. It was one of the worst comedies I've ever seen! "Chasing Papi" gives her a much better outlet for her talent. She has got to be THE most beautiful women I've ever seen! Whenever I see her on screen, I feel like Jim Carrey in "The Mask" when he was watching Cameron Diaz do that musical number. If my jaw could literally drop like his character, that would be my exact reaction. I mean, she makes Roselyn Sanchez pale in comparison, and saying a hell of a lot.

All I can say is the film is a lot of fun. I'm surprised by the extremely low rating. And by the way, Paul Rodriguez has a funny cameo, playing similar to the Michael Caine role in "Miss Congeniality."

My score: 7 (out of 10)