Under the Same Moon

Under The
Same Moon

Beautiful and Touching
Ron Smith

This story tugs at your heartstrings. It give us a “taste” of what it’s like to be a stranger, alone, in a foreign place, with only the kindness of strangers for guidance and support.

It’s the story of Rosario (Kate Del Castillo) and her connection to her little boy, Carlitos played by Adrian Alonso. Rosario left Carlitos with her mother when he was 5 years old, so she could go to the U.S from Mexico. She gets a job and sends money home to support her son until she can bring him to the U.S.

Oh! Did I mention that she is here illegally?

After four years of weekly phone calls from his mom, Carlitos can’t stand it anymore and sets out to find her in the United States. Only, he doesn’t know where she is. He only knows she is somewhere near a phone booth in Los Angeles.

An Exciting Journey

The story takes us on a journey with many exciting moments, and the final conclusion is heartwarming.

Watching this finely acted film made me feel like I was having hot cocoa on a cold night because the final conclusion is warm and comforting.

I do recommend seeing this film. And, I would see it again; but next time I’ll bring my hanky.
A Wonderfully Uplifting Film
Nilda F. Andrews
Under the Same Moon is a Spanish-language film with English subtitles, is a wonderfully uplifting film that shows the strength of the human spirit. Yes, Ron…under that macho exterior, I saw you try to hide those tears rolling down your cheek.

The setting is in a small town in Mexico where Carlitos, as played by Adrian Alonso, takes care of his ailing grandmother, works for a coyote and still finds time to go to school. His mother, (Kate del Castillo), who has immigrated to Los Angeles, works at two jobs to send money home to support her son.

While there is a lot of sentimentality in seeing how Carlitos and Rosario manage their long-distance relationship, they do so with dignity and are ever hopeful that they will reunite. This is the crux of the movie and takes the viewer on a very emotional, funny, and sometimes dramatic ride.

Strong Family Bonds

This film not only shows the strong bond between a mother and her son but also touches on the issue of the plight of Mexicans who illegally come to the United States to try to better their lives and take care of the families they leave behind.

As Carlitos, Adrian Alonso really shines. His character is only nine years old, but Alonso inhabits the role perceptively showing what it takes to be courageous, clever and to grasp opportunities that come his way to further his goal. It is too soon to tell if Alonso will be another Gael Garcia Bernal (The Motorcycle Diaries), but for one so young, he has the makings of a very good actor.

I definitely recommend this film! It is thought provoking while tugging at your heartstrings. So move over Ron and pass me some of that hot cocoa—just add a little rum!

Cast

America Ferrera, Adrian Alonso, Jesse Garcia, Kate Del Castillo, Eugenio Derbez
Spanish with English Sub Titles

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