I wasn't sure how to begin my review of A Better Life, so I just thought I'd do so in a straightforward fashion. The screenplay and story spends a great deal of time on the relationship between father and son, Carlos and Luis. In the first half, their relationship feels somewhat cold and unconvincing. 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. He seems to be giving the movie more than it tends to give him, with quiet but powerful emotion beneath the surface, all culminating beautifully in a scene near the end of the film. The movie's not always smooth, and the immigration arguments may feel one-sided at times, but the overall quality makes it worth looking up.
**1/2 out of ****
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. He seems to be giving the movie more than it tends to give him, with quiet but powerful emotion beneath the surface, all culminating beautifully in a scene near the end of the film. The movie's not always smooth, and the immigration arguments may feel one-sided at times, but the overall quality makes it worth looking up.
**1/2 out of ****