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Film Review
'Under the Same Moon' disappoints
The life of an immigrant is not easy — this is generally acknowledged by most people throughout history.
All the same, “Under the Same Moon (La Misma Luna)” (Fox Searchlight/Weinstein) sets out to capture the hardships of an immigrant’s life (In Spanish. Subtitles). But, unfortunately, it is an unimaginative and cliché film.
Carlitos is a 9-year-old boy growing up in Mexico. His mother Rosario, played by Kate del Castillo, is working in Los Angeles as an illegal immigrant.
Carlitos, played by Adrian Alonso, sets out to cross the U.S.-Mexico border in search of his mother after his grandmother dies.
The obvious dangers of a 9-year-old not only traveling alone, but also sneaking into a country illegally are exploited throughout the film in predictable situations. Carlitos connects with an adult illegal immigrant named Enrique, played by Eugenio Derbez, who becomes his unwilling travel companion.
The simplistic plot moves as expected through the sappy tale of “Under the Same Moon.” The film is named for the advice Carlitos’ mother gives him — to look at the moon when he is sad because she will be doing the same thing.
It was cute when two Russian mice immigrants sang “Somewhere Out There” about the same concept in “An American Tale” in the ’80s, but having a teary 9-year-old explain the connection is trite at best.
The acting is generally poor, excluding the young Alonso as Carlitos, who genuinely tugs on the viewers’ heartstrings.
Although “Under the Same Moon” is a film of unimpressive quality, the essence of immigration is compassionately explained. Enrique tells Carlitos that people don’t choose the life of an immigrant because they want to. They must have a good reason — and for Rosario, Carlitos is that reason.
Many of the other points regarding immigration throughout the film are biased and cliché. The most disappointing part of the generally unimpressive “Under the Same Moon” is the manner in which it neglects to bring new energy or thoughts to the immigration issue, which is of paramount importance in today’s culture.
Relying on setting up good guys versus bad guys, the film falls short of creating any momentum for reflective thought on the issue.
Cliché, sappy, but also sweet, “Under the Same Moon” misses the mark of a good film and leaves much to be desired in the immigration film genre.
Rebecca Bostic is a regular contributor to The Catholic Sun. Comments are welcome. Send e-mail to letters@catholicsun.org.
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