The film, La Luna Misma, depicted the parallels between the lives of the main characters Carlito in Mexico and his mother, Rosario, in the United States. Rosario crosses into the US illegally to try to earn a better living so that she is able to send monetary support home to her son and mother. She also saves to hire a lawyer to become a legal immigrant, hoping someday to be able to bring her son to live with her in the US. Carlito's grandmother has cared for him since his mother's crossing and vows to keep him with her, even when his aunt and uncle attempt to claim him, aware of the money Rosario sends each month to support the boy. The crossing to America was dangerous as depicted by those being captured at the border and I'm sure she felt that her chances of a successful crossing were better alone and she would not want to risk her son's capture since he was 4 years old at the time.
I am sure this was a difficult decision for her. She probably felt this was her only option to create a better life for herself and her son. I think there is the perception that the US is the land of opportunity, but as depicted in the film, Rosario found herself having to work 3 jobs and live a very frugal lifestyle in order to support herself and save money to send to Carlito over the 5 years she was in the US. Rosario also struggled with self doubt regarding her decision as she debated returning to Mexico at times to be able to be with Carlito.
Carlito faced the difficulty of missing his mother on a daily basis. Even though she spoke with him by phone every Sunday, he missed her motherly touch and comfort. He also struggled with discouragement because she had been away so long, as evidenced by the few brief instances where he questions her love for him. Carlito's grandmother was really his only familial support
and you could tell she loved him dearly. When she dies, he has no ties to keep him in Mexico and sets out on his quest to find his mom.
Rosario faced the difficulties of surviving as an illegal immigrant in the US. This hindered her ability to find more profitable work, always living under the radar screen of immigration officials.
She was subject to the whims of those she worked for, as seen when she is fired from her cleaning job and not paid for the days she worked that week. Her driving force is the goal of supporting her son and getting him to the US. She is heartbroken with the separation, crying when she speaks with Carlito on the phone. I think this probably prevents her from getting involved in a relationship with men because she is so focused on her goal.
I think mothers in general would make the same choice, but the situation is different for the majority of Americans. There are some American mother's that leave their children with family or caregivers to work in different countries or cities, but not for the same reasons as depicted in this film. Their drive may be more so for professional advancement, not usually for their children's opportunity. There are probably many moms that work multiple jobs to support their family but don't have to go to the extremes of going to another country to do it. Although I guess you could say Rosario could have made a go of life in Mexico, she wanted more opportunity for Carlito and his future. She was willing to risk her life and happiness for her child.
