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 5 wins & 9 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 | tree climbing | crossing oneself | 

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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

Did You Know?

Trivia

The plot also shares a similarity with "Mildred Pierce" (1945), that being the lower working-class parent who sacrifices so that their spoiled teenage child can have better opportunities in life.

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Goofs

When Carlos is chasing his stolen truck, he has his climbing belt in his hand. When he gives up and walks away, his hands are empty.

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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 Ebert Presents: At the Movies: Episode #1.23 (2011)

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Soundtracks

Fallin'
Written by Casey Romero, Kelly Sheehan, Monte Neuble and Phillip Laney Stewart
Performed by La La
Courtesy of Peer-Southern Productions, Inc./Music Gallery/Stewart Music Group

User Reviews

Heartfelf and real.

I like how Chris Weitz kept the focus on the characters and avoided the usual politics of the subject matter. This movie kept the audience riveted to the screen without resorting to usual polemics found in similar subject films. Personally I think this movie is closer to "El Norte" than "The Bicycle Thief", maybe a mix of the two but still authentic. Superb performances by most of the cast including Demian Bichir as Carlos Galindo, newcomer Jose Julian as Luis Galindo, Joaquin Cosio as Blasco, Bobby Soto as Luis' friend. Richard Cabral, Jason Medwin and Tom Schanleys played very believable, three dimension roles. Eric Eason and Chris Weitz did a great job on balancing keeping it real and entertaining at the same time. Carlos, a Mexican gardener in the United States illegally doing all he can trying to single handed raise a son in a vulnerable age at a vulnerable time. If you are looking for a warm and heart felt movie without the overblown melodramas then this is a most see.

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

Gross USA:

$1,759,252

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$1,863,506

Company Credits

Production Co:

Summit Entertainment, Lime Orchard Productions, Witt/Thomas Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

98 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital DTS

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1