Wednesday, March 31, 2010
Under the Same Moon
This film was very enlightening. It showed many different things regarding the Hispanic culture. I first noted the importance of family in the first few minutes of the film by the way Carlito was so attentive to his ill grandmother and in the fact that she cared for him in his mother's absence. There was also the birthday party in which there were many family members in attendance. It also gave me insight in the difficulties of these people, first with the dream that Rosario was having at the beginning of the movie about crossing the border and being chased by border police. It also showed the difficulties in finding honest work and the fight to keep her jobs. The fact that Rosario worked so hard to try to get money to bring Carlito to the US with her and the lengths she was willing to go to in order to provide a better life for him were eye opening. Carlito also went to great lengths to try to return to his mother. The fact that he left Mexico on his own and got jobs in order to obtain his dream were amazing. It was also appalling that someone in the US would allow a small child to work in a diner for food and a place to sleep. This would not have happened had the child been of American descent. It also showed that trust and caring can happen when he was left behind and Enrique, who did not want to help him, became a friend and helper who sacrificed himself in order to help Carlito obtain the dream of reuniting with his mother. Had I not been so intent on keeping up with the plot of the movie and taking notes, I would have probably shed tears at the end of the movie.
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I love your comments. I did shed a few tears at the end of the movie. But then again I cry at Halmark commercials. I was glad you brought up the character, Enrique. I was intrigued by his personality. Yes he put off a rough tough exterior. But do you think he was forced to portray that imagine just to keep safe. A man keeping to himself has less risks of being caught and sent back to Mexico. He had already mentioned that he was almost killed crossing the border. I liked when Enrique's real personality peaked through. The rolling of his eyes when you knew he enjoyed Carlitos company. Or when he played with Carlitos in the diner, singing and spraying the little boy with water. I knew he would be the one to return Carlitos to LA. I thought that he might meet Carlitos' mother. But the twist of fate when he saved Carlitos from the police when Carlitos already denied knowing Enrique. That seen was priceless.
ReplyDeleteSorry about the spelling. That scene was priceless..
ReplyDeleteDo you think Enrique for a moment plays the role of the father Carlitos never had? Enrique is a key character for Carlitos to accomplish his ultimate goal.
ReplyDeleteI do feel Enrique plays a father role. The film never shows a male role model for Carlitos. Yes there is the grandfather, but he is only in one scene. There is the uncle but the loving grandmother states that she hates the aunt and uncle. I believe her to be a good judge of character. Enrique is the only man that takes an interest in Carlitos, even if it was forced in the beginning of their relationship. I think Enrique started to care greatly for Carlitos. Enrique could have left Carlitos at the restaurant at any time. There were other people that could have cared for him there. When Carlitos' father didn't show up to take him to LA, Carlitos was devastated. Enrique had no ties to this little boy but he chose to take Carlitos to LA himself. That act was the first act of love that Enrique showed toward Carlitos. At the end of the movie Enrique gave up his own American freedom for this child. I can't see any greater love than that.
ReplyDeleteI do believe, as well that Enrique did play an important role. He did fill a void for Carlito and become father-like. He was protective of him even when he was trying to go on his way alone. Carlito was able to "force the issue" with him. He was a very strong little boy who made things go his way. He was very intent on getting to his mother and had several guardian angels along the way, but Enrique was the main character who enabled Carlito to reach his goal of finding his mother.
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