A Better Life

Plot synopsis:
A Better Life begins with Carlos Galindo (Demián Bichir) waking up and going to work. He works as part of a two-man crew with Blasco Martinez (Joaquín Cosio) as a gardener. Blasco is ready to return to Mexico and continually tries to persuade Carlos to purchase his business from him, which includes the work truck and professional gardening tools.Carlos' son Luis (José Julián) is in high school and is dating Ruthie Valdez, the niece of a prominent and powerful local gang leader. Although Ruthies influences get Luis into trouble, she sincerely loves and cares about him. Luis regularly goes to her house after school and is surrounded by gangs and the violence of the streets. This environment further has Luis contemplating his choice of submitting to the gang lifestyle. Luis and Carlos are at odds with each other because Luis is embarrassed by his father and, although he does not wish to follow in his footsteps, has a hard time committing himself to his education. However, his relationship with Ruthie pushes him more in the wrong direction, and his friend Facundo (Bobby Soto) wants to join the local gang and pressures Luis into doing the same.Carlos calls his sister Anna (Dolores Heredia) and asks her for financial assistance to purchase the gardening business from Blasco. Although she wishes to help him, she must first speak with her husband. The next evening, she shows up at his house with the $12,000 he asked for. She reveals to him that it is her daughters education fund. Carlos is reluctant to accept, but after Anna instills her faith in him he is determined to work hard, better himself and Luis, and subsequently pay her back in a year or less.Proud to have purchased the business from Blasco, Carlos returns to the corner where he first met him and hires a worker of his own, Santiago (Carlos Linares). On the first day, as Carlos is near the top of a tall palm tree, Santiago steals the truck. Panicked, Carlos runs after Santiago, but is easily evaded.The next morning, Carlos and Luis head out to find Santiago. They return to the corner looking for him, but he is not there. However, another man who frequents the corner leads them to a South Central apartment complex where he says Santiago lives. The apartment is used as lodgings for illegal immigrant workers from different countries. One man, to whom Santiago sold Carlos cellphone, tells them that Santiago moonlights as a dishwasher at a Mexican restaurant. It turns out to be a nightclub, which is closed when they arrive. They hear music in the distance and find a rodeo.At the rodeo, Carlos and Luis have a conversation revealing Luiss true feeling toward his culture, his father and their situation. Luis is bitter about his mother not being around and feels alone and abandoned because she went away. Furthermore, he expresses to Carlos that he doesnt care for Mexican style music, calling it stupid and that he does care for the past memories his father tries to bring up to bond with him. This further instills the feeling of alienation from Luis, but Carlos is determined to understand him, and have Luis understand Carlos. When the nightclub opens, Carlos finds Santiago washing dishes. Santiago runs away, but Luis is waiting outside, and tackles him. Luis beats Santiago, but Carlos stops him. They discover that Santiago has sold the truck and sent the $3000 to his family. Luis again reveals that he also had high hopes for the business and moving to a better neighborhood and going to a better school. Luis runs away.The next morning Carlos goes looking for Luis and finds him at his friend Facundos house. They argue, but Luis thinks hard and realizes that to move forward and succeed, he must stand by his father. They find the garage where Santiago sold the truck and manage to steal it back. However, on their way home, they are pulled over by the police and Carlos is arrested and placed in prison as an illegal immigrant. He is quickly processed, and Luis gets to the prison just before Carlos is about to board a deportation bus. The guards allow Luis and Carlos to see each other and Carlos apologizes to Luis for not being there for him, and for what he considers is failing him. Luis tells him he shouldnt be sorry. Carlos makes Luis promise him that he will succeed in his studies and Luis makes Carlos promise him that he will return. They both agree and Luis and Anna watch Carlos board the deportation bus.The film closes with Luis at a soccer game with his aunt Anna and his two cousins watching him play. We then see Carlos about to go into the desert with many other illegal immigrants and a coyote guiding them. The coyote says: Listos, para el otro lado - Ready for the other side?, Carlos responds, Vamos a la casa" - "Lets go home.

Tags: violence

Review:
its not just a tail about illegal immigrants its an incredibly powerful father and son tale.I will be tuning in to the academy awards this Sunday hoping he can win it!If anything just give the film a watch you wont be disappointed!.
'A Better Life' Synopsis: A gardener in East L.A. struggles to keep his son away from gangs and immigration agents while trying to give his son the opportunities he never had.'A Better Life', even as a film, is worth-seeing, thanks to the the moving screenplay, written by Eric Eason.
This is a really inspiring and touching movie about single fathers "journey" to make a better life for his son (or as they say, to find American dream).
The movie is about "Los Mojados", these people who everyday crosses the border from Mexico to the US to look for "A Better Life" like the title implies, trying not to forget their roots, their culture and at the same time struggling to find money to pay the rent, to eat and to survive in the United States without a SSN and without ID.
There's a scene in the movie where in a matter of 3 minutes you can see how many cultures collide in this side of Los Angeles and how this story can repeat itself in several cultures.This is also a story about true love between a father and a son, and how you can forget about everything and try every little thing to give your child the things he deserves.One of the best little movies I have seen this year.PS: If you like this one, and you're not afraid of B&W cinematography (no, it is not in 3D either) run and rent De Sica's Umberto D., a great masterpiece of Italian neorealism..
If this film does nothing else than plead the case of human understanding it will have accomplished more than legions of films that touch this subject too lightly.Carlos Galindo (Demián Bichir, in an extraordinarily fine performance) crossed the border into the US with his new wife, looking for a way to improve his life.
When the film opens Carlos is saving is money from working with Blasco, living in a tiny house in the smarmy side of Los Angeles, trying to provide better schooling for his 15 year old Luis.
This never once feels like acting, and it wasn't until the final scene between Bichir and his son that I realized how effective this film had been.
Growing up in Los Angeles all of my life I did not stop to think twice about people like Carlos, but this film has allowed me to understand illegal immigrants in ways I was not able to before.
Carlos Galindo (Demian Bichir) wants nothing more than to provide his son, Luis (Jose Julian), with the life he himself never had.
But when the truck is stolen by a day laborer, Carlos and Luis go on a journey to recover their property and in the process, rebuild the relationship that they've both sorely missed.I think it was a surprise to many to find Demian Bichir's name among those nominated for Best Actor at this year's Academy Awards.
Better Life, A (2011)*** (out of 4) Tender story of a Mexican illegal immigrant (Demian Bichir) living in Los Angeles and working as a gardener in hopes of giving his 15-year-old son (Jose Julian) a better life.
There's no question that this film was influenced by Vittorio de Sica's THE Bicycle THIEF as both features familiar plots but while this movie isn't nearly in the same league, the two lead performances and the tender story make it worth watching.
Not only is this film influenced by the Italian classic but we've also seen countless movies where a young man is faced with doing what's right and making a good living or going down the wrong path and joining a gang.
The movie and performance got very good reviews when it was originally released but most people, including myself, missed it until Bichir was nominated for the Best Actor Oscar.
A BETTER LIFE is certainly far from flawless but the movie has some terrific drama and there's no question that it makes you feel for the father and care what happens to him..
This film depicts a boys search for identity and the fathers search for stability as he struggles as in illegal immigrant working and supporting himself and his son.
"A Better Life", directed by Chris Weitz, sets to depicted the life of a single, father and son, immigrant family living in Los Angeles.
The movie also shows the hardships immigrant families must go through to attain a job and the life their offspring live as a consequence of their legal status.This is a most see film, as it allows the audience to see vividly the motivation behind many immigrant families to remain in the U.S.This movie is likely to make you feel pity for those who are hard working and unfortunate, as they are oppress from doing what they love;working..
The film tells the story of Carlos (Bichir), an illegal Mexican immigrant just trying to make ends meet for him and his fourteen year old son Luis (José Julián).
Instead, it plays as an intimate story of hope and desperation centered around the daily life of a father and son.The father is Carlos (played by veteran actor Demian Bichir), an undocumented worker in Los Angeles who scrapes by working as a gardener and landscaper for another illegal immigrant.
Luis shows little outward respect for his hard-working father, who comes home sweaty and exhausted every day of the week.When Carlos' boss approaches him about buying his truck and tools, Carlos first balks because he simply has no money, and he is intent on remaining "invisible".
Demian Bachir, best known for his role on "Weeds," received a completely unexpected Oscar nomination for his role as Carlos, a Mexican single father, gardener, and illegal immigrant in Los Angeles who does all he can to give him and his fourteen-year old son...you guessed it...a better life.Not being very familiar with the situation of illegal immigrants in California, I would like to say that this seemed like a very genuine portrayal of the hardships that some of these men and women go through, but my assumption may or may not be an overstep.
I am in no way trying to take anything away from what is definitely a solid, almost heartbreaking performance but a handsome actor who, no doubt, has a bright future ahead of him in Hollywood, but I cannot help but think it just was not quite up to standard to have received such an honour and that the performance was nominated for political reasons rather than artistic ones."A Better Life" could have been a better movie, but in terms of the message it attempts to make, it is acknowledged, loud and clear..
And for this, I see them on Demián Bichir character, Carlos Galino, which he does AMAZING, by the way.Better life get an unknown actor and put him to perform on of the best characters i've ever seen.
Carlos Galindo ain't just a character, he is real, he does exist, by different names from different countries and nations.Not every actor in this movie is as great as Demián Bichir, but they still leave they're marks, like Gabriel Chavarria as Ramón.The writing is amazing, the Mexican gangsta accents were pretty interesting for me to hear, since the difficulty any person who speaks English would have to understand them.
The performances were nuanced and just right, and if you think you know everything about illegal immigrants and their struggles, and whether or not they should be deported, or allowed to stay, in the United States, please, watch this movie.
Star Demian Bichir was nominated for an Oscar for his work and is the highlight of this powerfully moving father-son tale.Bichir plays Carlos Galindo, a gardener who's employer, Blasco (Joaquin Cosio), constantly tries to convince him to buy his truck and business.
When Carlos's sister Anita (Dolores Heredia) loans him the $12,000 he needs to buy the truck, and gardening tools, Carlos finally sees a way to provide a better future for his son Luis (Jose Julian), who has been struggling in school and began to get involved in crime.
When Carlos's truck is stolen, right off the bat, he and his son go on an adventure to get it back.The movie is heartbreaking and hard to watch at times but it's also very moving and inspiring at other times.
A Very Good And Very Well Acted Film through an very good performance from Demian Bichir and also the other actors in the cast, along with good direction, cinematography, a very good and realistic story, and a very good background score makes this a movie worth watching.The Story is about a gardener named Carlos Galindo(Demian) who is an illegal immigrant in East LA tries to give his son(Jose) a better life by giving him a good education and trying to keep him away from gangs, drugs etc.
And then he buys a truck to start a business of his own, but when its stolen, he and his son go on a journey to find it back, and their father-son relationship getting better in the process, also with the son getting to know the hardships which his father and people like him have to face in their daily lives.Demian Bichir portrays Carlos perfectly and he becomes the character in the movie, top marks to him for portraying this character perfectly.
Jose Julian portrays Luis Galindo(who is the son of Carlos) very well and the change of his character is fittingly shown in the movie,and the chemistry between him and Bichir is superb, and you feel sometimes that they really are father and son in their real life.
The Soundtrack is also superb due to an excellent work from Alexandre Desplat, also giving some Spanish songs in between the movie.Finally, this is a really good movie with a good story and direction and a great performance by Demian to make this into one of the better films of 2011.My Rating: 7.5/10.
Plot lines are often being dropped for something totally new and different and in this case that is an approach that actually works out well for this movie and its overall realism and drama.What I also really liked about the approach was that it was constantly following a father and his 14-year old son.
The screenplay and story spends a great deal of time on the relationship between father and son, Carlos and Luis.
But somewhere in the second half, an unexpected emotional depth starts to arise as we discover their troubles and history.The character of Luis may have needed someone a bit stronger to fill the role (Even if it's not really a bad performance), but Demian Bichir (One of the more pleasantly surprising Oscar nominations of the year) is consistently wonderful as Carlos.
Director Chris Weitz makes a wise move by prioritizing the film not so much as an immigration "pursuit of residency" tale, but more as an authentic look at the relationship between a father and a son in today's cultural diverse society.
Bichir's Carlos Galindo is an immigrant gardener who is trying to keep his head down, survive and take care of his fourteen year old son.The story starts off a little loose, focusing more on it's character and the themes that can face an illegal immigrant in America.
It tackles these themes in ways that I found interesting and, on the shoulders of Bichir's great work, emotionally involving.There's a plot move at the end of the first act that turns the whole thing into something more focused, but in focusing it down this narrative I think the film loses a lot of what it had going for it.
Demian Bichir dutifully hits all of his marks as an immigrant struggling to eke out a life for himself and his son by working as a gardener for the affluent of L.A. But his performance isn't the kind that lingers, and he wasn't compelling enough to make me really care all that much about his character or the greater injustice for which his character is a stand in.
The cinematography is as good as you could expect for a drama that isn't trying to be an "art film" - with some beautiful and gritty settings and appropriate lighting, The story is solid, with a couple of interesting surprises, and the script comes across very natural - far more so than many TV series or direct to Netflix movies.
It gave me a release.Demian Bechir make acting look easy for his Oscar-nominated role as Carlos, an undocumented Mexican immigrant working as a landscaper in Souther California and trying to support the life of his troubled teenage son.
Carlos Galindo (Demián Bichir) is a hard-working Mexican illegal in L.A. He's a single dad and fears his son Luis is falling into bad company while dating Ruthie Valdez who has family in the gang.
Although the title was suggestive enough, I did not have an idea what the movie would be about.This is about a Mexican father who wishes for nothing more than "a better life" for his son, even if it means resorting to illegal immigration into the United States.
A middle of the road struggling immigrant story which has been before with much better results.But still worthy for some very good performances by Demian Bechir as Carlos Santiago, a single undocumented Mexican father trying to raise his son Luis(Jose Julian) while working as a landscaper in Los Angeles.Carlo's employer sells him his truck so that he cane be his own boss and live the American dream.When the truck is stolen, his dream turns into a nightmare.Along the way, while trying to recover the truck, we get some gang members, seemingly from "West Side Story" the sharks and the jets in modern L.A. A rodeo is thrown into the mix for sentimental father-son moments and a weepy final scene bring this drama to an end.The music is above average but the script is weak.
A better life was nice laid back film which was entertaining in parts but was overshadowed by stupendous performance by Demian BichirA Better Life tells a story about a struggling father who is craving for a better school for his son's education , better place to stay and do something on his own.When I heard about Demian Bichir getting Oscar nod for his acting , I was thrilled to watch this flick.
Where the original Italian movie painted a picture of the poverty in post war Italy, this film provides an insight into life in East Los Angeles with its poverty, gangs, immigrants desperate for work and living with constant fear of being deported.
It captures the poignancy and the dilemmas of hard working immigrant families in cities like Los Angeles who are trying to survive and provide a better life for their children while one step away from being arrested and sent home.
Trying to find the thief, proves to be his own downfall because the system works against Carlos."A Better Life" is a well felt film that brought to mind Vittorio De Sica's masterpiece "Bicycle Thief" that deals on a similar subject, in a different way.
the story in short is that of an illegal immigrant named Carlos Galindo, played by Demian Bichir who is trying to make a living for him and his son, played by Jose Julian in the tough streets of Los Angeles.Desperate to have a better life, Carlos decides to take a debt, a loan to buy a truck to make a better business, but without having the legal papers and driver's license, he is caught in a dilemma between making a decent living and avoiding deportation.to avoid spoiling any more of the plot, i will stop here.the movie was very good, definitely enjoyable.
i really felt connected to the characters.the best thing about the movie, is the story as it was a window to the lives of the poor, their struggling and motivation for a better life.
"A Better Life" 2011 by Chris Weits was one of my favorite movies I've seen.It plays story of hope and desperation centered in the daily life of a father and son.
But he wants his son to have a better life, that is really all he cares about.(When he bought the truck I said to my wife, "There is no way he can expect to never be stopped by police.") Anyway a pretty good movie, very well acted, directed, and filmed.
This sentimental film about a underprivileged father trying his best to have a "BETTER LIFE" for his son touched me.
The main actor is Demian Bichir, he tell us the hard of life he has to live in California, he act as a father that has to work for his son that is in high school, Damian's wife was dead , so he es the father and mother in the house, sad movie because is real life that is happening in this life that is stranger to understand .....
It follows the lives of Carlos- an illegal alien working as a gardener in Los Angeles, and his son Luis.
"A Better Life" directed by Chris Weitz follows Carlos Galindo a single father trying to provide for his youthful son Luis who is slowly breaking away from family values and quickly becoming a little gangster but as the movie progresses Luis see's past the gang and sides with his father.
Not only is this film centered on Carlos and Luis's relationship but we also see the struggles immigrants and regular people have on the everyday basis.Director Chris Weitz made sure to personify the everyday problems a dad and a son have.
He's an illegal Immigrant from Mexico trying to make a better life for himself and his son.