I'm baffled by the hostile comments regarding this film. It's a light comedy, but some people act like it's supposed to be some profound drama. Others suggest that because many of the actors have noticeable accents that should be synonymous with stereotype and caricature. That seems terribly unfair. If the characters spoke without accents (or worse yet were played by non-Latino actors) would there then be no complaints? I think not. Any thoughts?
shareIt's a stereotype not because of the accents but because of the characters themselves: three Charo wannabes and the latin gigolo. If the creators *really* wanted to tap into "mainstream Hispanic culture and values" (as this film's official site so proudly displays) they should have made a film along the lines of "Tortilla Soup" or "Fools Rush In," something that celebrates the Latino sense of identity, community, and family (but, you know, with humorous consequences and stuff).
And if establishing "street cred" is necessary, I was born and raised in Mexico City.
dr509, your points are well taken, but audiences didn't exactly flock to see "Tortilla Soup" either. Personally, I liked "Tortilla Soup," despite the fact that it was just a Latino remake of "Eat Drink Man Woman," which was released only few years earlier. I didn't see "Fools Rush In," so I'll refrain from comment on that film, but my guess is that it's a very different type of film. For one thing, it involves an interracial relationship.
Regarding the whole Charo comment, they address that directly in "Chasing Papi" with Sofia Vergara's character. People seem to miss that.
Also, what about the subplot regarding Patricia's self-hatred? Her character's desire to wear blue contact lenses touches upon something prevalent among all people of color -- a desire to conform to some narrow Euro-centric notions of beauty.
Besides, how is this film any different from many romantic comedies with Anglo stars? Pick any film starring Sandra Bullock.
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sorry to break it to you but this movie was horrible. unfortunitly ive come to expect this from modern latin cinema. each time i hear of a latino themed film coming out i always tread with curiosity and trepadation and like clockwork i leave the theater or my living room couch thinking about the two hours ill never get back.
i dont know if the blame should go to untalented performers, one dimensional scriptwriters or hollywood execs who love saddling us latinos with outdated sterotypes to please non latinos who most likely wont go to see latino movies in the first place.
that said i dont think that this movie has caused any long lasting damage to latino cinema in general. its just another forgettable piece of crap. plenty of eye candy and no real plot...then again if you didnt know better youd think id be talking about your average hollywood summer blockbuster.
heres hoping things get better.
much luv from the other faction deceptikon225
I agree with some of your comments about the film IboChild but i feel this saying "people of colour" should be banished. We are all a colour, whites a colour, blacks a colour, browns a colour and so on. It's not as if white was the starting point and everyone elsa of a different ethnic background was 'painted on' like some canvas board. I dont mean to rant, but i feel that we're all people of colour.
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Thank you Cford, and IboChild, yes it's a very nice movie, well made, it's concept is very original, I have never seen a movie like this, the results of this new experimental movie are really wonderful!
The beauty of the movie: it contains no violence, or megalomanic explosions, enormous effects neither, this movie is good by itself and doesn't need multi-million dollar ""special effects"" and/or lots of violence.
I am glad thios movie is made, I really love it, the cast is both gorgeous and very talented, and wich is very interesting, both cast and producers worked together so well in such a relaxed atmosphere of friendship and mutual respect. The message of the movie is to find your ""inner strength"" to make your life a success and to realize your dreams.
In a very funny, well made romantic comedy this beautiful message is hidden. Fortunately the quality of the movie is recognized at last, the DVD/Video sales are skyrocketing globally, for example the movie is a big hit in the largest country on Earth, China (with a population over 1 billion people!)
I wish more movies like Chasing Papi were made, and less movies of ugly violence, because when humanity as a whole really wants to progress, we need to abandon violence and hatred, and we must pursue the bold dream of global brotherhood! This movie certainly helps, by uniting the great Latino and the great American people together! Well done and cheers for the fantastic cast: Eduardo, Rosalyn, Jaci Sofia, and cheers for the producers!!
Enjoy the movie! It's available at amazon.com, and contains many extra interesting features!
Warm greetings from Holland! Anthonie
I will rent Chasing Papi today.I think/assume it will be at least partly good. Is the song that Shalim Ortiz sings any good? I thought he was only an actor.
sharei own both fools rush in and chasing papi. i don't see how you could compare the movies at all. comedy and latinos..that's pretty much it. each movie was trying to take a completely different standpoint. fools rush in was more about bridging the gap between two different cultures while chasing papi was more about self acceptance and women empowerment. i enjoyed both films and each gives you a taste of the latino culture in different ways. if you listen to the commentary in chasing papi, even though a vast majority of it is in spanish you can get a stronger sense of what they were after. i do admit a little towards the middle it sort of fizzles in the entertainment but overall it was funny. that's what it was supposed to be. people pretty much expected it to play into stereotypes like they portray so many other ethnic movies, particularly african amercan but luckily it didn't. which was also one of the main reasons why the title was changed from papi chulo and a few lines about papi chulo were taken out or reworded. the thing that annoys me like the op said is that if the movie were performed by non latinos or someone produced some sort of remake the complaint list would be shortened and probably would've easily outsold the current.
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