Illegal immigrant Rosario (Kate del Castillo) works as a cleaning lady in L.A. to send money back to Mexico for her mother and her son Carlitos. Carlitos hangs out with the local Coyote Doña Carmen. An American couple (America Ferrera) offers to take babies across the border but Carmen dismisses them. When Carlitos' grandmother dies, he fears his uncle getting custody and calls up the American couple to smuggle him across the border to find his mother. He faces multiple challenges with only a payphone number his connection to his mother.
The story is split in two following separately the mother and the child. The mother's story is capably told with the beautiful Kate del Castillo. The boy's story holds some of the most compelling situations although it does meander somewhat. The kid is fine. The turn to find his father is convenient at best and would be better not to be introduced. His friendship with Enrique is the best part. The duo is like a Chaplin and the kid. This is a fine melodrama with some good work. As a message movie about illegals in America, it may be good or bad depending on the audience.
The story is split in two following separately the mother and the child. The mother's story is capably told with the beautiful Kate del Castillo. The boy's story holds some of the most compelling situations although it does meander somewhat. The kid is fine. The turn to find his father is convenient at best and would be better not to be introduced. His friendship with Enrique is the best part. The duo is like a Chaplin and the kid. This is a fine melodrama with some good work. As a message movie about illegals in America, it may be good or bad depending on the audience.