Te Llevo Conmigo

A narrative documentary like movie based on true events that poignantly details the themes in this story- love, immigration and friendship.

The back and forth jumps between past and present could have been better though, and the pacing towards the end could have been better too.

IN BRIEF: A gay love story that intertwines with the perils of illegal immigration.

Heidi Ewing's I Carry You With Me (Te Llevo Conmigo) is a tame telling of gay love that spans a decade. We witness Iván (Armando Espitia) meeting Gerardo (Christian Vázquez) at a gay bar and sense their instant attraction. The film flashes back and forth as it shows familial and cultural pressures placed upon these two gay men as they both dream of a better life.

Based on a true story, the movie shows their quest for the American Dream as the lovers are separated on their journey. Ms. Ewing has a strong commitment to this tale and, at times, gets caught up in her political message. Still she forcefully depicts the immigration hardships and homophobia that many face in their daily lives across the border and in our country as well.

The two lead actors are quite convincing in their roles and add much to their characters sketchy parts. One wishes the filmmakers had the courage and boldness to depict some sexual scenes before "tastefully" cutting away from those moments. But the bigger misstep is whenever the film flashes forward and has other actors assume the central roles as an older Iván and Gerardo. It is then that the impact of that relationship is lost and fragmented.

Still, the film impresses with its message of diversity and acceptance. (GRADE: B-)

Based on a true story. Quite interesting at the beginning but already boring later. They had to cut things to make it faster. The shots were nice and well done. The message was clear, let you live and Live for your dreams fight for them.

This film touches on very complex issues, just as it manages to give a good story.

The story shows us the difficulties of being gay in a community with a very closed mind, and the havoc it has with the family, as well as portraying what it means to go to fulfill your dream in another country. The story has a good development, as well as the development of the characters, but I think that the main character at certain times his decisions become selfish and he is never satisfied with the people who accompany him, reflecting that he does not care much what that others feel or what he leaves behind. Despite that, the film manages to empathize with that character, by having a good acting and good direction. I didn't like the ending as it confused me a bit in how the characters end up, if they always get what they want, or that they could never get everything they wanted.

The movie is very interpretive, but the story is compelling and makes you want to know more about the characters.

I didn't know before seeing this film that undocumented migrants could work, have businesses or jobs in the US but not be allowed ever to return if they leave even for a short holiday. This film is a cri de coeur to change this iniquitous system.

The actors were simply perfect, both the young incarnations and the older ones. It was easy to imagine that these two sets of main characters especially could have been the same people in their earlier or later lives. I especially liked the touch at the end when we see photos of all of the real characters at various times in their lives culminating in a photo of the real guys who inspired the story posing with the actors who played them.

One other refreshing thing was the absence of simulated sex going on. Gay or straight, it seems to be obligatory nowadays in films and TV that people have to get into bed and show it all after the merest kiss.

As this was based on a true story, at some points the tension flagged; we knew they got to the States, for example. However, it was still a revelation to see the horror of getting over the border and how easy it is to die on the way.

At an hour and fifty one minutes, this was just right in length. There wasn't any padding at all. It was a fascinating glimpse into attitudes and adventures that most of us never see. Bittersweet at the end but life went on. I do recommend this film.