 | ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids. |
 | OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | NOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age. |
Under the Same Moon
- Review Date: June 16, 2008
- PG-13
- Genre: Drama
- 2008
Common Sense Media says
Emotional immigration drama has mature themes.
Parents say
QUALITY
Kids say
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that this drama has some mature and emotionally difficult themes. It revolves around a young boy who must deal with his grandmother's (peaceful) death and an illegal border crossing between Mexico and the United States. There are some brief images of obvious prostitutes, an abusive pimp, and a twitchy junkie. Expect some mild (though potentially upsetting) violence in the form of chases and rough takedowns by INS agents and local L.A. police. The central boy is also threatened by bullies, thieves, and a child trafficker. Mostly mild language, though "s--t" is used.
What's the story?
Rosario (Kate del Castillo) is hardworking and conscientious, but she's also an illegal immigrant, which means she has no recourse when her employer (Jacqueline Voltaire) decides to let her go. It's just one more roadblock for Rosario, who's been in Los Angeles for four years, hoping to bring over her 9-year-old son Carlitos (Adrian Alonso). UNDER THE SAME MOON follows both her efforts to gain legal status (she's tempted by the marriage offer of a very nice green-card holder) and Carlitos' attempts to reach her. After his grandmother's unexpected death leaves him alone in his small Mexican town, he undertakes a border crossing, hiding in the car of a couple of American students, including Marta (America Ferrera). He then finds himself alone and on the road, bothered by a junkie, a child-sex trafficker, border patrolmen, INS agents, and assorted other adults. At last he falls in with a hitchhiker, Enrique (Eugenio Derbez), who helps him find his long-lost father in Tucson, and afterward, get to L.A., where there are still more challenges to overcome.
Is it any good?
Despite the fact that it's directed with sincerity and compassion by Guadalajara-born Patricia Riggen, Under the Same Moon is weighed down by plot contrivances and simplistic life lessons. When Carlitos and Enrique take on a day-labor stint that ends with an INS raid, independent-minded Enrique tries to abandon his new buddy -- but finds himself drawn to the boy's helplessness, not to mention his big-eyed cuteness. They share rides, motel rooms, and work at a restaurant (where their antic back-and-forths reach a truly annoying pitch).
While Carlitos makes his way steadily mom-ward, Rosario grapples with her own set of daunting cliches. Rosario and best friend Alicia (Maya Zapata) worry daily about how to stay in the States. But even as they joke about their lack of options ("We should get a couple of gringos to marry us"), Rosario begins to think seriously about marrying for citizenship. Pursued by a very nice, very handsome security guard/green-card owner named Paco (Gabriel Porras), she resists because he's not "the one." For all her practical-minded focus on day-to-day living, Rosario remains a romantic, believing that true love will eventually save her. In another movie, such faith might seem a sustaining fiction or damaging delusion. But in Under the Same Moon, it's just the way the world works.
What families can talk about
Families can talk about how the movie portrays the plight of illegal immigrants in the United States. Do you think the movie is trying to make a specific point about the issue? If so, what is it? Is it OK that Carlitos and his mother are both breaking American laws? Why or why not?
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AGE
Important Topic- Issue on Immigration
The US is country founded on immigrants fleeing their native lands to discover opportunity, realize dreams, and find hope in a new land.
This movie exposes the truth of the new generation of selfish Americans that wish to close the doors of opportunity that was once left open freely to their own forefathers.
Such hypocrisy needs to be exposed so we can educate those blind to the struggles of Latinos living in this country doing their best to survive and progress in a foreign land just like our forefathers have.
**Also, very important to be shown to children of immigrant parents that this is the harsh reality their mom and dads go through to get them here; and to better prepare them for the harsh reality of what life is like in the united states for an immigrant: discrimination and treatment as second class citizen.
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AGE
Good movie. Real truth about inmigrants and it's good to know what happen from another perspective
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AGE
this is a good movie, because alot american people don't know how hard is for us to came here and be discriminados for all people and they don't know how much money the goverment take from the paycheck and we din't see that money like social sec.
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AGE
Must see!
Important themes, compelling story, wonderful acting, and a heartwarming movie for the family.
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AGE
PERFECT
The movie is very accurate. The movie shows pure truth and i believe everyone should watch it so that they can open there eyes to see what's happening to most immigrants crossing the border.
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AGE
I kept telling myself "don't cry it's not true" But it IS true....
I am 3rd generation Mexican-American lets face it the only thing Mexican left is my last name. I am also a high school teacher and I see "Carlitos" in so many of my students. I'm not going to write about it being a great "melodrama with comedic undertones" simply put... This movie makes you feel makes you think..it's been days since I saw it and I'm still thinking. I know I will never look at my recent immigrant kids the same ever again. I kept telling myself "don't cry its not true..but it IS true and happening right at this very moment.
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AGE
I can NOT believe how CSM rated this movie!
This is one of the best films of the year, and certainly one of the most socially important! I saw it with my husband. Although we have very different views on the subject of what the country should do with undocumented aliens, we both agreed this film accurately portrays some of the issues.
The two girls I mentor (ages 10 and 13) also saw this film. Their opinion is that EVERY "white" person needs to see it to understand what life is like for "Mexicans." These girls were both born in the United States, but they have told me stories of people they know being shot at "like dogs" as they try to enter the U.S.
Beyond the moral dilemmas posed in "Under the Same Moon," it is simply a great story of a little boy's struggle to find his mother against impossible odds, with some of the best acting, writing and directing that I've seen in quite a while. Sheesh, CSM...you let us down on this one!
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| Studio: | Fox Searchlight |
| Director: | Patricia Riggen |
| Cast: | Adrian Alonso, America Ferrera, Kate del Castillo |
| Genre: | Drama |
| Run time: | 106 minutes |
| Theatrical release date: | March 19, 2008 |
| DVD release date: | June 16, 2008 |
| MPAA rating: | PG-13 |
| MPAA explanation: | some mature thematic elements. |
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