“A Better Life” is a snapshot of what it’s like living in the shadows of contemporary society. It’s a about the lengths a parent will go to provide the best opportunity for his child set within the context of an illegal immigrant. It’s also about what a father and son learn about each other, how they repair their relationship, as they search for a missing truck. It’s not overly political, but it is a realistic portrayal of what exists today that remains invisible to many and watching this profound film could help everyone reach a better understanding of a controversial issue. Carlos (Demian Bichir) is a hard-working Mexican-born gardener who does his best to fly under the radar of the authorities, living in fear of being stopped for a minor offense and facing deportation. In every other sense, he is law-abiding. Carlos, whose wife left when their son was very young, has single-handedly raised 14-year-old Luis (Jose Julian). Because Carlos must work long hours, Luis has begun to drift away, drawn to a local gang. He looks down on his father and is contemptuous of the work he does. Spurred by the desire to protect Luis from gang influences, Carlos takes a financial risk, borrowing money from his sister to buy a truck and start his own gardening business. When this truck is stolen, Carlos and Luis team up to find it and, in the process, come to better understand each other.
The various LA settings and performances raise this movie above the average ‘art house’ film. There are 69 location shots, all in and around Los Angeles. And seeing the various scenes gives you an appreciation for the richness and variety of Southern California life. Who knew there was an authentic Mexican-looking rodeo in Pico Rivera? And Demian Bichir, a big star in Mexico, is perfect as the humble but determined Carlos. He brings a subtle grace and dignity to the role. Newcomer Jose Julian, 16 when the movie was made, is natural as Luis. And director Chris Weitz demonstrates his versatility as he moves comfortably from big-budget movies like The Twilight Saga: New Moon and The Golden Compass to this smaller, character-driven story. “A Better Life” is a compassionate story about people living precarious lives. And like The Visitor, it’s a movie about heartache and hope. Some subtitles. 7/23/11
1 comment:
Its films like this one that really give us insights into to the plight of the poor alien. This fellow has his truck stolen and because he has no license and is in the US illegally he has no recourse. He is forced to take the law into his own hands to recover his work truck himself. He has his entire life tied up in this business truck..... He can't do it leagally so what does he do? See this film, its worthwhile.
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