I Carry You with Me

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-)

A fascinating hybrid of narrative and documentary, Heidi Ewing's 'I Carry You with Me' is a devastatingly gorgeous and ultimately hopeful love story with a powerful political point. Armando Espitia and Christian Vázquez deliver beautiful performances. A compelling romance but it really unfolds into a vital call for US immigration reform.

Based on a true story. The back to the past-and-to the present scenes made it a little confusing at times. Better editing could've made it clearer. Good film or I should say a good documentary. A powerful story of love and overcoming all of life's struggles, the triumph of immigrants with all its victories and pains.

Not immigration lawyers, but did a few searches seems like if you stay in the US for more than 10 years and didn't commit any crime, they there's a path to get the green card. I just can't believe given the amount of migrants in the US its actually that difficult for them to obtain a citizenship?

For the movie the last 20 mins is a bit slow and full of political views. Immigration is a complex issue, mixing too much information with a beautiful love story only make the movie worse not better. It could be an eight star movie. Many lines are extremely beautiful and powerful. If they can handle the grown-up section better that would improve the movie a lot.

As already pointed out, this is a good and interesting hybrid documentary-feature film based on a true story, where the real subjects of the drama, the Mexican gay couple Ivan and Gerardo, appear alongside the actors. The film is an intimate portrait of the personal sacrifices that immigrants endure in order to realize their American dream. Intertwined scenes from the present and the past require from the viewer a certain level of concentration.

P. S. It's not a classic LGBT+ movie and apart from a couple of male kisses there's nothing provocative for the wider audience. The provocation here exists but it is clearly of social and political nature!