Under the Same Moon
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Movie Reviews of Under the Same Moon
Movie Review: great movie!
Summary: 5 Stars
I love this film
and the price was very attractive compared to other on line stores!
Movie Review: Great movie
Summary: 5 Stars
This is a great (true) story about an immigrant women looking to better her child's life!Movie Review: It really happens
Summary: 5 Stars
Real life drama of today immigrants. Well done film. Very good acting. Worth buyingMovie Review: A Timely Topic, An Uplifting Film
Summary: 4 Stars
Sensitive director Patricia Riggen has, in LA MISMA LUNA (UNDER THE SAME MOON), succeeded in creating a story about the travails of the illegal immigrants from Mexico that serves as a reminder to all of us that one of the reasons for the obsession to take the risks of crossing the border is an attempt to find a better life. While this story concept is by no means a novel one, writer Ligiah Villalobos has provided a script that avoids taking sides, but instead concentrates on creating wholly believable characters caught in the web of immigration - from both sides of the wall. This little film from Mexico is, above all, a film about love, about courage and about resilience and is portrayed by a very fine cast in every role.
Rosario (Kate del Castillo) is a single mother who crossed the border four years earlier in order to support her young son Carlitos (a superb young actor, Adrian Alonso) and her ailing mother by working double jobs as a housekeeper in Los Angeles. She keeps in touch with Carlitos with weekly phone calls and sends him gifts as well as money and love. When Rosario's mother dies, Carlitos takes life into his own hands and plans to cross the border with a little help from his experience with a wise old lady Coyota (Carmen Salinas) who aids immigrants. With his savings in his backpack and his heart aimed toward Los Angeles he sets out on his journey and is thwarted at every turn. He is picked up by two Hispanic students from the US (America Ferrara and Jesse Garcia) whose attempt to transport Carlitos is halted at the border - with the little Carlitos hidden under the seat of the now towed away car. Carlos escapes from the car in El Paso, meets up with some illegal workers who are arrested, leaving the hidden Carlitos with a reluctant companion Enrique (Eugenio Derbez) who is able to aid Carlitos (reluctantly!) to escape to Los Angeles. Through many 'jobs' and untoward situations Carlitos finally finds his way to the spot where he hopes he will meet his mother.
The rhythms of the cinematography, the sets, the flavors of both sides of the border, and the music that accompanies the film all contribute to making this story real and believable - and VERY touching. While Kate del Castillo is the major star of the film, it is the performance by Adrian Alonso that remains in the mind long after the credits are shown. Some viewers may find this film a bit too 'novella-like', but the magic that Patricia Riggen pulls from her large cast and verismo directing style will touch the hearts of most everyone. A fine little reminder of the other aspects of the Immigration topic! Grady Harp, June 08
Movie Review: Good drama, innaccurate reality
Summary: 4 Stars
Under the Same Moon is well acted and edited. However, no one should conclude that the reality of entering the United States illegally on the Southwest border is as easy or as safe as portrayed in this movie.
I'm one for a good story, and even my logical heart gave way while watching this movie: I shed a tear because I felt for the separated mom and child.
However, I'm aware that this movie is simply that: a drama, a fiction made for entertainment purposes.
In one's education of border and immigration issues, Under the Same Moon is 3rd grade material.
If you'd like to move into secondary school to learn about the facts, the searing cold and burning hot reality of life for illegal immigrants and the surrounding culture on the Mexico-US border (and in this case the facts are more astounding than fiction,) please check a couple of resources:
1) Enrique's Journey. Now in book form, it was originally a series of double-Pulitzer Prize winning articles (feature writing and photography) this is a biography of a teenage Honduran who risks life and limb to travel through Mexico, then to cross the US border, finally to reunite with his mother in North Carolina after more than 10 years of separation. Once reunited, then the deeper drama/trauma begins as the reality of his Mother's life in the US crashes into his dreams of what their life would be after reuniting.
2) Hard Line: Life and Death on the US-Mexico Border by Ken Ellingwood. I agree with the Publishers Weekly review of this analytic: "Ellingwood transcends ideologies, rendering the border and all who dwell along it with the utmost respect and care. Likewise, he pays careful attention to the historical and economic conditions that tie the two countries together and lure so many to risk their lives for the chance at something better."
May ya'll have much joy and struggle while learning about the complexities of the place where I like to call home: the US/Mexico border.