Under the Same Moon - Dark Publications

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Under the Same Moon puts a human face--several very appealing faces--on the dilemma of Mexican "illegals" living and working clandestinely in the United States and the loved ones back home they're supporting. Rosario, a young single parent, left her village four years ago and jumped the border to find work in Los Angeles; ever since, she and son Carlitos, now nine, haven't seen each other, but she faithfully calls him from the same street-corner pay phone every Sunday morning. When Rosario's mother--the boy's guardian--dies in her sleep, Carlitos taps into an impressive reservoir of street smarts and contrives his own border crossing. The border is just the first of many obstacles to a mother-and-child reunion--not least the fact that the only address the boy has for Rosario is a mental image of the corner she always phones from.

It's easy to take cheap shots at Patricia Riggen's feature-directing debut for tugging at the heartstrings, and certainly Under the Same Moon aspires to nothing like the political and psychological complexity of The Visitor, another film involving illegal immigrants that was released around the same time. But that misses the point, the nature of the mission, and the effectiveness with which Riggen carries it out. Carlitos encounters an almost Dickensian gallery of rogues and menaces, but that's allegorically appropriate for a crossover film (pun unavoidable) aimed at the general U.S. market as well as the Latino circuit. Nor is the movie guilty (as some have charged) of flogging an Anglo-bad/Latino-good poetics; there's opportunism as well as love among Carlitos's neighbors back home, and although Rosario is exploited and cheated by one of the two L.A. households she serves as a maid, the other family appears fond, even solicitous of her.

Riggen's casting is on the money: Kate del Castillo makes a heartbreakingly lovely Rosario, and Adrian Alonso, in addition to giving a gutsy performance as Carlitos, has a marvelous old-man's face the camera never tires of. Veteran actress Maria Rojo creates a shrewd portrait of a woman who arranges border crossings and observes her own brand of ethics while doing so, and Eugenio Derbez brings raffish charm to a crowd-pleasing role, a guest worker who, though himself two leaps ahead of "La Migra," becomes Carlitos's reluctant protector. America Ferrara (yes, "Ugly Betty") contributes an unflattering cameo as a U.S. college student of Hispanic descent who doesn't understand Spanish. --Richard T. Jameson

Product Description
Studio: Tcfhe Release Date: 06/17/2008 Rating: Pg13

Customer Reviews: Read 20 more reviews...

4 out of 5 stars

A Timely Topic, An Uplifting Film June 24, 2008
29 out of 30 found this review helpful

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

3 out of 5 stars

Mixed feelings March 19, 2008
8 out of 34 found this review helpful

"Under the Same Moon" is the touching story of a young boy living in Mexico with his Grandmother while his Mother tries to create a better life for them in America. After being separated for four years, Carlitos' Grandmother dies, leaving him all alone with no way to contact his Mother. When a friend refuses to help him cross the U.S. border, he seeks other means to find his Mother in Los Angeles. The film is almost entirely in Spanish with English subtitles.

Although touching and very funny (Enrique steals the show!), this film glorifies illegal immigration, insults people who have immigrated legally to the United States, and makes me wonder if Mexicans see all Americans as rich people who want to exploit them. I can say that this movie really got into my head and heart and made me ponder this issue.

As an American whose ancestors came through Ellis Island, I am angered that anyone would attempt to take advantage of the nation my family adopted legally. As a Southern Nevadan, I see a partial reality of illegal immigration up close, and it's not pretty. As a Christian, I am humbled to remove the plank of judgment from my own eye before plucking the splinter of illegal immigration from my brother's. Illegal immigration is not just against the law. It is sin. And since I am not without sin, myself, I can only drop my stone and pray for my brothers and sisters. My intent is not to sound preachy. The film is of such a cutting-edge political issue, however, that it could be considered propaganda designed to incite illegal behavior. It is only the fact that I AM a Christian that I was able to see value in the movie relationships and drive that led this boy to pursue reunion with his mother.

5 out of 5 stars

This is a glimpse of reality March 30, 2008
8 out of 10 found this review helpful

This film is an amazing glimpse of the life that some of our community members endure by having to live in the shadows. As a citizen who is close enough to see all of the negatives that undocumented community members experience, I know that their experience is usually much worse and more terrifying--and that there are those who are so privileged in this country that immorally take advantage of their plight. I absolutely recommend this brilliant production to all--it will be what I will be giving for every birthday and to all on my Christmas list as soon as it is available! I am surprised that people aren't now flocking to the theater to see "Under the Same Moon!" This movie makes a strong statement about love and family ties without judgment of nationalistic politics.

5 out of 5 stars

Excelente! April 14, 2008
6 out of 6 found this review helpful

The performace of Kate Del Castillo , Adrian Alonso "Carlitos" and Eugenio Derbez was flawless. It's a true example of a top quality film with great latino actors. This movie deals with a very highly debated issue in the U.S.: immigration. The story is powerful as it depicts the hardships that immigrants without papers must endure to earn a living in order to support their families back home. It also brings to the forefront how some U.S. employers take advantage of their status and exploit them. It is a "must see" film. You will laugh and you will cry as you experience the resilience of these characters. Bravo!

5 out of 5 stars

Get the tissues out May 29, 2008
5 out of 5 found this review helpful

Excellent movie with strong actors. A moving tale of the Mexican stuggle for providing a better life for the rising generation despite great sacrifices made from the parents, in this case, single parent.
The experiences Carlitos encounters as he crosses the border to be with his mother are not far from the truth, unfortunately.
I wish something could be done to have hard working, honest hispanics respected with citizenship and/or at least treated more humanely and given the same opportunity as other people with "papers". This movie is a step in the right direction in opening the eyes of voters.

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