5-year-old Carlitos was left in the care of his grandmother in Mexico when his mother moved to Los Angeles to work and support them. For four years they talked every Sunday when she called him from a payphone in LA. When Carlitos' grandmother died unexpectedly, then 9-year-old Carlitos set out on his own to find Los Angeles and his mother, a plan much complicated by her illegal status, having no listed address or phone number.
This 2008 movie is a heart-warming and realistic story that both entertains and challenges. A great film for initiating discussion on immigration or prejudice. The movie is in Spanish with English subtitles, but even if you don't understand any Spanish, the story will capture you, and the language won't be a barrier. Available on DVD.
Two trailers follow, the first in English (2:06) and the second in Spanish with subtitles (2:29), but watch them both if you're interested, because they are not equal.
