Laughter barely hides a lesson

In “Chasing Papi,” a giddy, slight Latina-lib comedy, babe magnet ad exec Tomas Fuentes (Eduardo Verastegui) gives his heart away -- over and over again. When forced to reflect on his behavior, he justifies his harem mentality by asserting that he was raised by many loving women.

The women currently in his life, each of whom believes she is his one true love, not surprisingly take this behavior a bit more seriously when they find out about one another.

As it happens, Tomas’ job requires a lot of travel. In Miami he is captivated by flashy cocktail waitress Cici (Sofia Vergara). In New York he is smitten by an heiress, Patricia (Jaci Velasquez), whose mother (Maria Conchita Alonso) is intent on marrying her off to someone who will provide for her in the luxurious fashion to which she is accustomed. In Chicago he falls for no-nonsense activist attorney Lorena (Roselyn Sanchez), whose power suits and severe glasses do not conceal her smoldering beauty. To show how passionate his feelings are, he gives each woman a La Perla bra and panty set of scarlet silk trimmed with black lace.

When the three women discover his infidelity, Lorena declares that as a matter of self-respect, they should all walk out on Tomas. They become caught up in a madcap plot, devised by many hands and kept moving at a fast clip by director Linda Mendoza.

At one point, Lorena has to pass herself off as Miss Puerto Rico in a beauty contest, and later the women are on the run from a couple of crooks after a stash of cash in Cici’s borrowed car. In the course of their adventures, the women discover the value of female solidarity and self-determination. Patricia outgrows being a spoiled brat, Cici develops the confidence to try for the dancing career she craves, and Lorena loosens up.

Not every Latina is going to go along with this message movie disguised as a comedy and may in fact find it patronizing. Mendoza does keep everything light and swift, and the cast is undeniably easy on the eyes.

*

‘Chasing Papi’

MPAA rating: PG, for mild sensuality and language

Times guidelines: Suitable for all ages

Roselyn Sanchez...Lorena

Sofia Vergara...Cici

Jaci Velasquez...Patricia

Eduardo Verastegui...Tomas (Papi)

Lisa Vidal...Carmen (FBI agent)

A Fox 2000 Pictures presentation of a Spirit Dance Entertainment production. Director Linda Mendoza. Producers Forest Whitaker, Tracey Trench, Laura Angelica Simon. Executive producer Tajamika Paxton. Screenplay Laura Angelica Simon & Steven Antin and Alison Balian & Elizabeth Sarnoff. From a story by Simon and Antin. Cinematographer Xavier Perez Grobet. Editor Maysie Hoy. Music Emilio Estefan Jr. Costumes Salvador Perez. Production designer Candi Guterres. Art director Anthony Rivero Stabley. Set decorator Bryan John Venegas. Set designer Thomas Betts. Running time: 1 hour,

20 minutes.

In general release.