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

Bichir was nominated for Best Actor for the 2012 Oscars.

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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 truck is my only chance to grow this into something big. So we can move out of here and get you in a better school.

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Connections

Featured in Maltin on Movies: Bad Teacher (2011)

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Soundtracks

Comandos Del MP 500 Balazos
Written by Miguel Alejandro Gaxiola
Performed by Voz de Mando
Courtesy of Disa Records
Under license from Universal Music Enterprises

User Reviews

Watch it for Demián Bichir's Masterful Performance!

2 Days back, Demián Bichir earned himself an Oscar-Nomination for Best Actor in a Leading Role for 'A Better Life'. And that was it, I saw 'A Better Life' exactly 24-hours later since his nomination was announced.

Demián Bichir delivers a Masterful Performance. A performance, that is so well-done, it come across as an astonishing embodiment. He elevates this film!

'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. The relationship between the Father & his Son, is wonderfully handled & written. Chris Weitz Directs this Human-Drama, with bravery. Cinematography is eye-filling. Editing & Art Design, are decent.

On the whole, 'A Better Life' is well-made, but it's Demián Bichir's embodiment, that makes this film unmissable.