As Americans, we often criticize illegal immigrants for their unauthorized presence in our country. But we forget about the reasons why these people have aspired to come to the United States and what keeps them here. With the story of 9-year-old Carlitos (Alonso) and his journey to reunite with his mother, Under the Same Moon not only reminds viewers of the plight of the illegal aliens, but also manages to make us sympathize with their struggles.
Every Sunday morning, Carlitos waits by the same telephone at the same time for the chance to have a five-minute conversation with his mother, Rosario (del Castillo). He begs her to let him leave Mexico and join her illegal-alien stint in Los Angeles, and she adamantly refuses his request, hoping to spare him the treacherous crossing. But when Carlitos’ grandmother and caretaker suddenly dies, he decides to make his way across the border to find his mother.
Obstacle after obstacle is put squarely in Carlitos’ path, but he plows through them all with the brazen naivete that could only come from a young boy with nothing to lose. Carlitos charms everyone he meets, endearing himself ever further into their hearts and ours. As Carlitos, Alonso is never cloying, always captivating. The audience rejoices with his every triumph and mourns over every new stumbling block. His unflagging resolve gives viewers the perfect reason to become invested in Carlitos’ victory.
Writer Ligiah Villalobos has succeeded in creating a film that is simultaneously entertaining and thought-provoking. With equal parts comedy and drama, Villalobos keeps viewers on an emotional merry-go-round. The result is a finely balanced tale of a son’s irrepressible love for his mother.
As Carlitos endeavors to find his mother, Under the Same Moon becomes less about Carlitos’ individual story and more about the struggle of every illegal Mexican immigrant. Just as Carlitos must fight to achieve his goal of finding his place with his mother, so too must unauthorized aliens fight to find their place in America. Even the pilgrims were once foreigners in a country that didn’t want them.
–Tasha Chemplavil
Under the Same Moon
****
Adrian Alonso, Kate del Castillo, Eugenio Derbez
Directed by Patricia Riggen
Rated PG-13