Under the Same Moon – La Misma Luna

Director: Patricia Riggen
Release Date: 20 March 2008

 

Cast:

Carlos Reyes ‘Carlitos’: Adrian Alonso
Rosario: Kate del Castillo
Enrique: Eugenio Derbez
Alicia: Maya Zapata
Doña Carmen ‘La Coyota’: Carmen Salinas
Benita Reyes: Angelina Peláez
Paco: Gabriel Porras
Marta: America Ferrera

 

This is a heartwarming tale of a family divided by the harsh economic realities of living in Mexico. Like so many Mexicans, Rosario – played by Kate Del Castillo, has chosen to uproot herself from a small Mexican town to work as a nanny to a family in California. She leaves her son, Carlitos, behind with his grandmother and calls every week to stay in touch with her distant family.

When the grandmother dies the young boy begins a perilous journey across the border to the United States. He has to rely on adults that are not always looking out for his best interests and he tries to find his mother with an unclear idea of where exactly she is.

Much of the movie relies on the young actor, Adrian Alonso, though only 13 he is an extremely capable actor who caries the film forward. His performance is nuanced and powerful and well worth seeing, it is rare that a boy as young as he is can carry off a role like this.

The supporting cast is equally interesting and delivers excellent performances. The issues brought up in this film, both the personal ones of family ties, love, and grief as well as the larger themes of poverty and the way in which we treat strangers are examined and dealt with in a way that is touching without being sentimental.

The direction is light and helps to move the story forward without getting caught in sentimental traps. Though if you are of a delicate nature you may want a box of tissues nearby – the film has its powerful moments and you may find you’ve misted up a little.

This gentle tale of a little boys search for his mother is told beautifully and simply and that is high praise for this little gem of a film.

 

 

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