Review of Under the Same Moon (2007) by Steve S — 30 Apr 2008

:fresh: :fresh: :fresh: [color=red](out of four)[/color].

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[color=cyan][i][b]Under the Same Moon[/b][/i] mostly works because it creates characters who are generally likeable, so even when the film gets stuck in conventional mud, the viewer is still hoping for the inevitable happy conclusion.[/color].

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[color=#00ffff]The plot surrounds a young woman who has moved to Los Angeles from Mexico. She is struggling to make a living and avoid the INS, hoping one day to bring her son to the U.S. to live with her one day.[/color].

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[color=#00ffff]The son decides to not wait. So when tragedy strikes the family in Mexico, he loads up his backpack and heads to the border. The film follows his adventures as he attempts to cross and find his mother in L.A. The film workd emotionally because we believe in te bond between mother and son and cheer him on. Some of the predicaments the boy finds himself in, however, seem very contrived, like when he asks help from a druggie who kidnaps him. But luckily most of the picture deals more heavily with more realistic struggles. [/color].

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[color=#00ffff][i][b]Under the Same Moon[/b][/i] could have become overly sentimental, but, luckily it relies on real emotions to carry it through.[/color].