From Focus World: NYPD detectives LUIS (Luis Guzmán) and EDDIE (Edgar Garcia) visit Paris to help a gorgeous French designer COLETTE (Alice Taglioni) catch the black market thief who’s ripped off her new handbag design. While Luis’ girlfriend VANESSA (Rosario Dawson) and Eddie’s wife GLORIA (Rosie Perez) remain in New York, the hopelessly unhip odd couple stumble through a glamorous high-fashion world brimming with charming cafes, wild nightclubs and corporate treachery. In theaters, On Demand and in Digital HD June 10.

Starring: Luis Guzmán, Edgar Garcia, Rosie Perez, Rosario Dawson, Alice Taglioni, and Miriam Shor
Directed by: Ian Edelman
Written by: Ian Edelman & Neel Shah

This transcript has been lightly edited:

The Referee: We are coming at you with an exclusive “Sneak Peek” at a new movie, that’s coming out June 10, called “Puerto Ricans in Paris.” And the Critic got a chance to check it out before any of us.

The Critic: Puertorriqueños.

Ref: (sings) Puerto Rico. (speaks) OK, so, this is directed by Ian Edelman, who also wrote it, as well, with Neel Shah. It stars Rosario Dawson, Luis Guzmán, Rosie Perez, Ravi Patel, along with other amazing actors and actresses. I have a feeling you’re going to give us the lowdown about this one.

Critic: (laughter) Now, look, of course, this is a comedy, everybody, all right? Now, we got Mr. Luis Guzmán and his good friend in real life, Edgar Garcia. They’re co-leads. And these two came up with this idea, which turned into this film. Also, Ian Edelman was the creator of “How to Make It in America” …

Ref: Ooh.

Critic: … which Luis and Edgar were in, as well. This is Ian’s first directorial effort, though. You know, I always want to say, “How to Get Away With Murder,” when I say, “How to Make It in America.”

Ref: OK, please don’t, though. (laughter)

Critic: But, anyway. So, here’s what happens: They’re two friends who are New York police detectives.

Ref: New Yawkers.

Critic: And they are called to (with accent) Paris …

Ref: Mm.

Critic: … to find who stole a prototype women’s handbag.

Ref: (with accent) A handbag? (laughter)

Critic: So, there’s this beautiful French designer who comes over to New York. Her name is (with accent) Collette.

Ref: Ooh.

Critic: And, because they’re so great at catching counterfeiters on the New York City streets, she says, “Come on over. Find who stole this.” And, of course, they play around with the detective-serious films where you have your suspects: Who is it? There are four suspects, and they have to go around to figure out who it is. So, there you go.

Ref: It’s a comedy, obviously.

Critic: It’s a comedy. (laughter) And, it’s a comedy that (with accent) crosses the pond. (end accent) Now, in addition, they each have love interests.

Ref: OK.

Critic: Edgar’s married to Rosie Perez.

Ref: Oh, who wouldn’t wanna be?

Critic: Oh, there you go. And, you know, she’s really not happy with him. He forgets their anniversaries, all kinds of things like that.

Ref: Of course. Of course.

Critic: And then he’s going to leave her to go to Paris? He doesn’t take her with him?

Ref: Mm, mm, mm.

Critic: Luis is dating Rosario Dawson.

Ref: Well, he got a catch. (laughter)

Critic: But, uh-oh, he’s not treating her right. So, they have trouble at the home front. Now, here’s the thing.

Ref: OK.

Critic: The opening, I thought, was a great opening. You see him — and him is Luis Guzmán — in action with Miriam Shor. If you don’t know Miriam Shor, she’s in “Younger” now, as the boss of Sutton Foster … and she’s done other work. … It’s hilarious. And you see them catch this counterfeiter. And they go on this chase after him. Of course, Luis can’t keep up. (laughter) So, you have all of that going on. But then, they play around with different genres. It is shot in a way that modern comedies are shot. You know, you get your digital lenses. It looks great: Paris — or Prague, which one is it? —

Ref: Ooh.

Critic: … looks great. OK? But, my thing is this: It works best when they’re actually being detectives.

Ref: OK!

Critic: When they are in clubs and doing the love stuff, it doesn’t quite work as well, for me.

Ref: Mm-hmm?

Critic: But, there was a great scene when they interviewed one of the suspects, and they were pretending to be Saudi Arabian … Luis Guzmán was a Saudi Arabian prince, and Edgar was his bodyguard. 

Ref: Oh, stop it! (laughter)

Critic: That was hilarious! That was, like, the best part of the movie! So, you know, it’s uneven. It has its ups and downs. But I’ll say this: If you like Luis Guzmán, he really does some funny stuff here. Even if it doesn’t work, you appreciate his energy and his instincts.

Ref: OK.

Critic: When he’s not on the screen, I don’t know. So, my recommendation — watch, don’t watch — I would say this is really a great thing if you’re in air conditioning at home.

Ref: (laughter) And in your PJs.

Critic: There you go. That’s what I would do. I would catch it, especially if you have a group of friends. You got some beer, and popcorn, and pretzels, and whatever else — pizza going. That’s the kind of film it is. It’s not going to reach the heights of great comedy, but it’s also not gonna bore you.

Ref: Oh, that’s great — great advice. Looks like we’ll have to check it out.