Carlitos, one of the main characters, is a 9 year old boy from Mexico. He is mature in his actions and thinking far beyond his age. He awakens each morning to take care of his sick grandmother. He is driven by his determination to be with his mother in the United States. His self- sacrificing words and actions teach the adults that he comes in contact with lessons that will remain with them for life.
Carlitos mother left Mexico to build and find a better life; one that would support her and her son. It was inferred by others that she left him for selfish reasons such as to find love or that she did not love Carlitos. Other people tried to make Carlitos feel abandoned, but his optimistic personality always won.
I do believe this was a difficult decision for the mother. She had told Carlitos to look at the moon when they are thinking of each other, hence implying the name of the movie Under the Same Moon. The mother’s first priority was to Carlitos. Even after losing a job one day; the next day she went looking for work. The more money she could save, the sooner she would be able to bring Carlitos with her. She spoke to him every Sunday on the phone and promised they would be together soon. The first Sunday on the telephone with Carlitos, she cried quietly and held back her emotions; showing her longing to be with her son. Each evening after their long days apart, they would lie in their beds and reflect on the moon, meanwhile thinking of one another.
Carlitos faced many challenges trying to get to LA to be with his mother. He was on his own for days, depending on new acquaintances to help him. Some of the people he met were good to him; however others led him into dangerous situations. His mother struggled to find a new job. She was intended to be married to a man for the privilege of him being a U.S. Citizen. She could not follow thru with this arrangement, holding out for true love.
I don’t believe mothers in the U. S. could understand the sacrifice Carlitos mother made trying to bring him a better life. Mothers anywhere would do anything for their children, it is a strong bond, but some would not separate from their children. She risked her life to be in the United States and thought it was better for him to be safe in Mexico, until the time was right to bring him with her. There was nothing selfish about her love for her son.
I pretty much agree with most of your post. Rosario definitely had a difficult decision in moving to the US and leaving her child behind. Though, I do believe that given a similar situation, many US mothers would make the same choice that she did. We are very fortunate not to have to have such a dilemma.
ReplyDeleteCarlito is such a character, isn’t he? This is the second time I’ve seen this film, though the first time was entirely in Spanish, with Spanish subtitles. Yes, it was for a Spanish class, haha. Overall, I believe you hit the nail on the head with your interpretation of this movie.