Under the Same Moon (2007)

A young Mexican boy illegally travels to the U.S. to find his mother (who is illegally in the U.S.) after his grandmother passes away.

Director:

Patricia Riggen

Writer:

Ligiah Villalobos

Stars:

Eugenio Derbez, Kate del Castillo, Adrian Alonso

8 wins & 2 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Adrian Alonso	...	Carlos Reyes 'Carlitos' (as Adrián Alonso)
Kate del Castillo	...	Rosario
Eugenio Derbez	...	Enrique
Maya Zapata	...	Alicia
Carmen Salinas	...	Doña Carmen 'La Coyota'
Angelina Peláez	...	Benita Reyes
Gabriel Porras	...	Paco
America Ferrera	...	Martha
Jesse Garcia	...	David
María Rojo	...	Reyna
Ignacio Guadalupe	...	Leonardo Sánchez Nava
Pailo Heitz	...	Billy
Mario Almada	...	Padrino
Ernesto D'Alessio	...	Oscar Ponce
Isaac Bravo	...	Chito

Storyline

UNDER THE SAME MOON (LA MISMA LUNA) tells the parallel stories of nine-year-old Carlitos and his mother, Rosario. In the hopes of providing a better life for her son, Rosario works illegally in the U.S. while her mother cares for Carlitos back in Mexico. Unexpected circumstances drive both Rosario and Carlitos to embark on their own journeys in a desperate attempt to reunite. Along the way, mother and son face challenges and obstacles but never lose hope that they will one day be together again.

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Plot Keywords:

title directed by female | immigrant | young boy | mexico | f rated | 

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Taglines:

A boy living in Mexico crosses the Mexican/US Border to reunite with his mother.

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Genres:

Adventure | Drama

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG-13 for some mature thematic elements

Did You Know?

Trivia

Except for the Los Angeles exteriors, the film was shot in Mexico.

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Goofs

While looking through a box of Carlos' belongings he kept in her office, Doña Carmen finds a small photo album with the note "trabajos Mamá / Señora Maqjuensi / 323 2175021 / Señora Esnaide / 323 3961825" (at 1:29:56; in English the first line is "Mom works" or "Mom's jobs"). Doña Carmen presumably calls one or both of these numbers but is shown speaking on the phone to Señora Snyder (at 1:30:12) who wasn't listed on the note. (The spellings of womens' names shown in the note are undoubtedly phonetic-isms for "MacKenzie" and "Snyder", meaning that "Señora Snyder" actually IS listed on the note.)

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Quotes

Rosario: I love you with all my heart...
Rosario: I love you more than all the earth and all the sea...
Rosario, Carlos Reyes 'Carlitos': And all the stars and all the sky.

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Connections

References Cars (2006)

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Soundtracks

Por Amor
Written by Pablo Castro Navarro
Performed by Los Tigres del Norte
Disquera: BMI
Editora: TN Ediciones Musicales dba Los Tigres del Norte, INC ©2006

User Reviews

'The Straight Story,' Mexican-Style

This certainly lived up to expectations of being "a nice movie," an involving story about a young Mexican boy who sneaks into the United States to try to find his mother in Los Angeles. She had been in L.A. for four years and, frankly, I forget why. They don't dwell on that, but there must have been a good reason since she loves the kid and vice-versa. Each Sunday morning at 10, she calls him from the same spot. That's a key to the story.

When the woman's mother dies, "Carlito's" grandmother who had been looking after the young boy, the kid decides his options aren't good at that point and he needs to take a big chance to see if he can find his way to Los Angeles. Yes, you have to suspend your beliefs here a bit, as the odds on a kid actually being able to do that - all with no money! - are astronomical, but it's fun to watch him on his journey and how he makes do with what little he has. Some of the friendships he makes are truly touching and in a way, the best part of the film.

While writing this, it makes me flashback to the film "The Straight Story" when an old man on a tractor drives 300 miles across Iowa to see his long-lost brother. He is befriended by many people along the way, some who go to extraordinary lengths to help a stranger. That's the case here, too.

We also get a good profile of the mother, her best friend and a wonderful man she meets during this story, which takes place in one week. Each "chapter" of the film is broken down into days. Yes, the film is slightly preachy concerning immigration but the story is so good that one forgets about the political aspect, no matter side one is on.

This is a pretty solidly-made film, from directing to acting to the visuals but it's the story that will hook you in early on and you aren't able to let go until the end. The last half hour will keep you on the edge of your seat, wondering exactly things how will turn out. That's good, because it means the movie is entertaining. Definitely recommended.

Details

Official Sites:

Official site [United States]

Country:

Mexico USA

Language:

Spanish English

Release Date:

4 April 2008 (USA)

Also Known As:

Under the Same Moon

Filming Locations:

Los Angeles, California, USA

Box Office

Opening Weekend USA:

$2,769,655, 23 March 2008

Gross USA:

$12,590,147

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$23,313,049

Company Credits

Production Co:

Creando Films, Fidecine, Potomac Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

106 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1