A Better Life (2011)

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.

Director:

Chris Weitz

Writers:

Eric Eason (screenplay), Roger L. Simon (story)

Stars:

Demián Bichir, José Julián, Eddie 'Piolin' Sotelo

Nominated for 1 Oscar. Another 6 wins & 8 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Demián Bichir	...	Carlos Galindo (as Demian Bichir)
Eddie 'Piolin' Sotelo	...	Eddie 'Piolin' Sotelo
Joaquín Cosio	...	Blasco Martinez
José Julián	...	Luis Galindo
Nancy Lenehan	...	Mrs. Donnelley
Gabriel Chavarria	...	Ramon
Bobby Soto	...	Facundo
Chelsea Rendon	...	Ruthie Valdez
Trampas Thompson	...	School Security Officer
Tim Griffin	...	Juvie Officer
Valorie Hubbard	...	School Secretary
Dolores Heredia	...	Anita
Isabella Rae Thomas	...	Linda
Carlos Linares	...	Santiago
Robert Peters	...	Truck Driver

Storyline

Carlos Galindo is a decent man, a Mexican single parent working as a gardener in California to raise Luis, his fourteen-year-old son, whom Carlos is frightened will drift into local gang culture. Carlos buys a truck for his work with money loaned by his sister but a shifty new employee steals it from him and, though Carlos and Luis track the thief down, he has sold the truck. Father and son bond as they reclaim the vehicle from the pound but Carlos attracts police attention, making his future in America uncertain when it is discovered that he is an illegal immigrant.

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Plot Keywords:

beverly hills california | birdfeeder | purchase | cellular phone | tree climbing | 

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Taglines:

Every father wants more for his son

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Genres:

Drama | Romance

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG-13 for some violence, language and brief drug use

Details

Official Sites:

Official Facebook

Country:

USA

Language:

English Spanish

Release Date:

28 July 2011 (Thailand)

Also Known As:

The Gardener

Filming Locations:

Wattles Mansion - 1824 N. Curson Avenue, Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$10,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$62,087, 26 June 2011, Limited Release

Gross USA:

$1,759,252

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$1,863,419

Company Credits

Production Co:

Summit Entertainment,Lime Orchard Productions,Witt/Thomas Productions

Technical Specs

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital DTS

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Director Chris Weitz liked to do all the dangerous scenes in the script before he asked his cast to perform them. A stunt double taught Weitz and Demián Bichir how to climb a palm tree, and although Weitz was first to successfully climb one, Bichir did go on to film all the scenes himself, without a stunt double. Weitz told the audience at a SAG Screening: "That is why in my films there are not many scenes that require stunt doubles".

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Goofs

At 21:10, the size and shape of the bread that Santiago is giving to Carlos Galindo is different from different angles.

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Quotes

Carlos Galindo: This country is a land of dreams. It can be a hard place, a cruel place. But it's where I work, and I dream of a better place for my son.

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Connections

References America's Got Talent (2006)

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Soundtracks

Y Tu Tan Lejos
Written by Victor Ochoa
Performed by El Mayo De La Sierra
Courtesy of La Disco Music / Twiins Enterprises

User Reviews

fantastic movie - a real tear jerker

This movie was beautifully done. It gave me a completely different perspective on the plight of the illegal alien.

The bond between the father and the son were wonderfully portrayed in this movie. Anyone that has kids will be able to relate - the father just wants more for his son.

The plight of the Mexican is a bit of a lose - lose situation, as this film demonstrates. There is nothing for them in their own country; America is their only hope. Anyone would do the same thing as the lead character in this film - take the dangerous risk of immigrating to America - by whatever means necessary.