Illegal immigrants aren't here to steal our jobs; they are here to tug at our heartstrings. If you're in the mood for a sob-fest inspired by a political debate, Patricia Riggen's feature debut "Under the Same Moon" (La Misma Luna) successfully combines a message of hope and love in the context of the widely criticized and heated topic of illegal immigration.
The film walks the fine line between heartwarming narrative and social discourse on the hot-button subject of the border dilemma. By putting a human face on the issue of immigration, especially a face as adorable as Adrian Alonso's, Riggen is sure to upset a great many people in this country who would rather not see a political issue washed through the prism of the film industry. Alonso plays nine-year-old Carlitos, who waits every Sunday morning for a phone call from his mother Rosario (played by Kate del Castillo) in Los Angeles. He hasn't seen her in four years, but nevertheless, as the corny title suggests, they are both still under the same moon.
After his grandmother's death leaves Carlitos alone, he makes the northward journey to reconnect with his mother. Carlitos relies on the kindness of strangers, as well as the fact that he is just so adorable, to help him along on his quest. American students, a junkie, a child-sex trafficker, border patrolmen and Immigration and Naturalization Service agents, an interesting cross-section of Americans, make up the assortment of people Carlitos encounters in his attempts to reach his mother. Generous hearts win out over the harsh reality in the world of "Under the Same Moon."
His actual border jump is surprisingly easy. Carlitos then drifts around the United States in search of an address from a letter his mother had sent. Carlitos becomes the face of illegal immigrants already in this country: cleaning dishes, picking tomatoes and always trying to stay a step ahead of the authorities. Along the way, he picks up a mentor in the form of another migrant worker, Enrique (Eugenio Derbez). Their verbal spar and antics may test the patience of some in the audience, but it is similar to the relationship seen in "Cinema Paradiso" (1988), as Enrique becomes a surrogate father of sorts to young Carlitos.
The narrative of Carlitos' journey across the border is seamlessly woven with Rosario's struggles in California and her desire to one day be reunited with her son. It is really the character of Carlitos that makes this film worthwhile. The young Alonso expresses this tearful and dangerous trek across the border with great emotional range. Rosario, however, is a shell of a character that does little more than erupt in frequent fits of tears.
Interestingly, there is very little moral grey area in "Under the Same Moon," despite the complicated issues it addresses. The characters are either good and well-meaning or bad and trying to take advantage of immigrants. The one-dimensional characters certainly make the underlying issue of illegal immigration step up to the forefront.
The film is filled with the stereotypical stories and obvious clichés that audiences are familiar with from newspapers and from Lou Dobbs' preaching on CNN, but that is what also makes the film so real and so important. It is a timely film because of its viewpoint on illegal immigration and putting a human face on an issue that many Americans tend to ignore.
