Review of Under the Same Moon (2007) by Jerjer J — 25 Jan 2009

Sensitive director Patricia Riggen has, in 'La Misma Luna,' succeeded in creating a story about the travails of the illegal immigrants from Mexico that serves as a reminder to all of us that one of the reasons for the obsession to take the risks of crossing the border is an attempt to find a better life.

While this story concept is by no means a novel one, writer Ligiah Villalobos has provided a script that avoids taking sides, but instead concentrates on creating wholly believable characters caught in the web of immigration - from both sides of the wall.

This little film from Mexico is, above all, a film about love, about courage and about resilience and is portrayed by a very fine cast in every role. The rhythms of the cinematography, the sets, the flavors of both sides of the border, and the music that accompanies the film all contribute to making this story real and believable - and VERY touching.

While Kate del Castillo is the major star of the film, it is the performance by Adrian Alonso that remains in the mind long after the credits are shown.