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 | 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

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: You are the most important thing in this world to me, mijo.

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Connections

Featured in The 84th Annual Academy Awards (2012)

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Soundtracks

El Aguanieve
Traditional
Arranged by Marcos Hernández and Artemio Posadas
Performed by Los Camperos del Valles
Courtesy of Smithsonian Folkways Recordings

User Reviews

Examining Lives - A Father and Son Love Story

A BETTER LIFE is one of the more understated films to come out of Hollywood, a film that has the courage to tell a story that is so politically charged - the immigration debate - that releasing it now is on the one hand asking for negative responses and on the other hand offers to the public the real truths behind our quandary about immigration. This country consists of immigrants - all of us - no matter how far back we have to trace our ancestry: the only people who did not begin their family history as immigrants from every country in the world and the Native Americans, and look how we are treating them! 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. Upon arriving his wife gave birth to their son Luis (José Julián) and then promptly left Carlos in search of a better life, leaving Carlos to raise Luis alone. Carlos is an honest, caring man who must live in the shadow of being illegal: he cannot have a driver's license or papers that allow him the benefits of other people. Carlos has a steady job as a gardener with Blasco (Joaquín Cosio) who owns a truck and the two men work hard as gardeners.

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. Luis is of the age when he is easily influenced by his peers: his best friend is Ramon (Gabriel Chavarria) who is waiting to be of age to join the gang and forget about school in lieu of making money and living high. Luis is tempted to follow him, but he still attends school despite frequent absences and disinterest in education. Carlos is faced with a dilemma: Blasco wants to leave the business of gardening and suggests Carlos buy his truck and tools and start his own business. While Carlos sees the future in owning his own business (he can provide hope for a better life for Luis) he doesn't have enough money saved to buy the truck. His sister, indebted to Carlos for his protection and help, brings him her savings and Carlos buys the truck. Luis is surprised and then proud of his father's courage, but the happiness is short lived as one of the day laborers Carlos befriended - Santiago (Carlos Linares) - steals the truck, sells it on the black market and sends the money to his family in Mexico. It is this moment that provides an important turn for the relationship between Carlos and Luis. Luis bonds with his father and together they manage to locate the truck and take it back, only to be caught by the police for driving without a windshield. Carlos is jailed, Luis is devastated, but as Carlos is deported Luis pleads with him to 'come back home'. The film's ending tests the credibility a bit but it is heartwarming nevertheless.

The story as written by Eric Eason and Roger L. Simon is genuinely real and never veers toward the maudlin. They have created characters who not only demonstrate the importance of father son understanding and relationships, but they have approached the entire gamut of immigrant challenges and the manner in which this country deals with current immigrants in an honest manner. Without waving banners for or against immigration problems director Chris Weitz offers us the opportunity to see life from a different angle. One of the reasons this movie is so powerful in its impact and message is due to the brilliant performance by Demián Bichir, hopefully a candidate for an Oscar, and his performance is beautifully balanced by that of José Julián as his son. The film is scored by Alexandre Desplat and the music greatly enhances the rhythms of the story. There is such worth in this film that it would be wise for everyone in this country to view it - and remember our individual heritages and histories. Grady Harp

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