I Carry You with Me (2020) User Reviews

A docu-drama about life in the shadows

[chong_an · 7/10 · 6 December 2021]

A young Mexican finds himself a boyfriend, but when his family finds out, he is denied access to his young son, given his work of low status and pay. He decides to find success as a chef by crossing illegally to the U. S. Decades later, he realizes that all his success may not reunite him with his son.

This is based on a real story, directed by a documentary filmmaker. So I was surprised that it was given a very non-linear treatment. Starting in approximately "present day", it is told in multiple interwoven flashbacks. There is the child, the young man in Mexico and U. S., scenes from his rise in the U,S., and "today". Switching back and forth, it was fairly demanding for the viewer to keep track of when the event was. For a non-Spanish-speaking audience, this was in addition to keeping up with the subtitles.

I expect some viewers will see this thru a political lens. Does an illegal who succeeds deserve some form of permanent residency, even if it is not a path to citizenship?

LITTLE CONFUSING AT TIMES.

[andrewchristianjr · 7/10 · 28 September 2021]

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.

A devastatingly gorgeous and ultimately hopeful love story

[Sir_AmirSyarif · 7/10 · 22 October 2020]

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.

Languid story of love and separation

[laduqesa · 6/10 · 13 October 2021]

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.

The Rocky Road to Love

[jadepietro · 7/10 · 10 January 2021]

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-)

The older versions of the characters are the real-life people

[classic-henry · 10/10 · 17 January 2021]

This film is a documentary-fiction hybrid. Other reviewers speak entirely from ignorance when they criticize the film for using the real people who the characters portray as the younger Iván and Gerardo.

Depicting graphic sex is immaterial to quality visual storytelling. If you're sad you didn't get to see that, there are plenty of websites for that.

If you want an innovative, sensitive story of sexual and ethnic oppression, this film is it.

Good

[isaacochoterena · 7/10 · 12 January 2022]

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.

Beautiful

[dashtag1234 · 10/10 · 22 December 2020]

Oh my god. Heidi Ewing, a documetary filmmaker has surprised us all with an incredible feature debut. This movie is moving and heartbreaking, acting and cinematography is beautiful and powerful. Everyone needs to see this movie.

Good for the most part, ending ruins it

[burtofprey-1 · 6/10 · 27 November 2021]

A good movie about economic migration. Not so great is the constant flashing forwards and backwards. It interrupts the atmosphere. I prefer the parts with the young actors, they are very handsome and convincing. I didn' t care much for the last part with the real couple. They are very different from the fictional couple, which stole my heart. I'm really happy they make a good living in the US. The fact that Mexico is run by a criminal government is overlooked at the expences of the US, and that is not fair. That's why the last part bothered me, and makes me rate it lower.

Intens Drama movie

[maykermedina · 5/10 · 22 September 2021]

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.

Beautiful

[jofisherman · 9/10 · 24 June 2021]

Really a beautiful film. The emotional beats are perfect and so authentic. I really like that a documentary filmmaker made this one, Heidi Ewing's experience added an extra layer.

There's actually ways for them get green card?

[gobravelove · 7/10 · 5 May 2024]

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.

Tries Too Hard and Falls Flat

[DongDiggity · 1/10 · 23 June 2021]

The high praise this film is receiving is extremely odd and makes me wonder if people are giving this a good score because it deals with homosexuality because if it was about a hetro couple it would probably get scorn.

The film making style is a bit jarring, a pseudo documentary/story driven snooze-fest that tries too hard to show relationship struggles. The film doesn't feel natural and instead feels not only preachy but forced at times.

Reviews these days are very misleading and agenda politics drives them like never before so I would suggest if you are interested rent it or watch a trailer.

Achingly beautiful

[ericsenunas-69711 · 10/10 · 10 July 2021]

This film is as beautiful as the true-life story upon which it is based. Ewing coaxes subtle performances from the actors that traverse the story's timeline, including the real subjects whose story Ewing beautifully retells - a verite touch that harkens back to the Director's documentarian roots.

While it's a story of queer love (and one that's a welcome addition to cinema), it is more a testament to the indefatigable power of love, no matter the incredible obstacles confronting it.

Perhaps most of all, it provides an intimate portrait of the personal sacrifices immigrants make every day to realize the American Dream - a dream that the film notes can take years or a lifetime to arrive, if ever. If this doesn't cause you to empathize with those who represent the best of America, then your soul is barren.

Brilliantly done

[exceladeogun · 8/10 · 15 November 2021]

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.

Good!

[Glifada · 8/10 · 24 September 2021]

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!

Moving

[atractiveeyes · 9/10 · 22 September 2021]

It's so beautiful, moving, real, emotional and well made. In addition to its beautifully written true love story, it tackles important topics like family and illegal immigration. Performances are real and superb. The documentary-like cinematography is so beautiful, it has many stunning sceneries. It's powerful, touching and well crafted but not everyone's cup of tea.

Based on true story

[ilovefoodcoma · 8/10 · 9 July 2021]

Great film or I should say a great documentary. Based on a true story. They told their story beautifully. Love it that they appear in the film as well. Well written how their journey to cross the border & living their dream here. The struggle that many of the illegal immigrants are facing now.

So much to learn from this movie!

[cmartens54-149-457874 · 10/10 · 20 July 2021]

There are so many layers to this storyline that I will have to watch it several more times to really appreciate the true beauty of it. Had I known at the time that I was watching it, that it was based on a true story, it would have had an even stronger impact on me. We see what it is like to be a gay person growing up in an environment where being gay or being different is not accepted. We see the poverty and the nearly impossible conditions that exist in the town where the main character is living, and how impossible it will be to achieve his dreams. We witness the impossible decision that has to be made - to support a family, to stay with a lover or leave it all behind to follow your hopes and dreams. We see how difficult it is to escape the country in much more detail than we ever see on the news in this country. And we see how difficult life can be once they arrive in the country of their dreams - trapped forever by the system and the racism that exists. We also see that the title of the film is in itself, multi-layered. I could have watched this story unfold for another couple of hours - it was just that emotional and beautifully told.

An beautiful blend of documentary and drama to tell a true story.

[jpenha-75970 · 8/10 · 13 January 2022]

Executive producer...Norman Lear...and so unsurprisingly the film entertains as it recognizes so many painful social issues, especially homophobia, immigration, and the plight of the undocumented in the US.

Hauntingly beautiful!!

[saikatr-70051 · 9/10 · 2 August 2022]

What an absolutely incredible movie..sensitive, smart, deeply romantic and overwhelmingly beautiful. Cherry on the top is this is based on real-life experiences. Am so glad I watched this!

Love knows no borders, just blissful togetherness...

[remuse-astra · 10/10 · 27 December 2023]

What a movie, amazing screenplay, great cast, loved every bit of it. True love spans through timelines, through borders, through human made policies. The human societies, and that, my friends, is not natural, true love between two souls is not.

Loved Iván played by the sexy Armando Espitia and enjoyed Gerardo played by the charming Christian Vazquez. They are intertwined with each other, they know nothing else by being together no matter where on God's dear Earth they are on.

I cried in tears in the end with all their triumphs and tribulations. Their simple and yet a complicated turn of events in their life knows only one language, the language of love.

Its totally a different thing when two men are attracted to each other by their souls and they knew it even before they met. A good movie and loved the screenplay when past and present merge and its a very well done cinematographic experience. Thanks a bunch!!