A Better Life

A well acted and directed film, understated but engaging and poignant. A glimpse into the reality faced by so many undocumented citizens in modern America.

While I was living in Puerto Rico I was involved in a traffic accident with a pizza delivery man on a moped. His bike was trashed, my car was fine. It was my fault. I was ready to face the consequences. Within 5 minutes of us picking up the broken glass and plastic from his bike he had vanished from the scene along with his wrecked moped. I soon realised why - he was an illegal (Dominican) immigrant and any involvement with the police would have meant deportation. This very real and common predicament faced by illegal immigrants is dealt with in A Better Life, as well as the emotional lives of those who bear the pain of it. There is an obvious parallel in this film with Vittorio De Sica's The Bicycle Thief, and I went into it worried that it would pull on the heart strings and leave a saccharine after burn in the throat. I am happy to say it was an understated film that evoked emotional responses without trying too hard. Make no mistake, this movie is a weepy (albeit with an optimistic coda) but it remains measured, thanks in large part to Demian Bichir's totally believable turn as the struggling jardinero (gardener) and father to difficult son Luis. It underlines the predicament of all illegal immigrants - without papers you have no rights, and must walk the line between exploited non-citizen and deportation. When the quietly suffering father Carlos sees an opportunity to better the life for himself and Luis, it is his fundamental trust in human goodness that lets him down and thrusts his family into a chase to recapture their (American) dream. In the movie we watch his immoveable dignity and faith in doing the right thing thoroughly tested. Poised to take advantage of their plight are las pandillas (gangs) that are waiting to drag Luis into their world of violence and narcissism. Interestingly, the portrayal of gang culture is again unhurried and quietly informs us of how gang members not only have tattoos and talk tough, but how they might also have a family life and enjoy karaoke in the kitchen and are, well, human. At one pivotal point in the narrative, Luis celebrates his (previously acquiescent, timid) dad as an 'OG' following a particularly daring adventure. It is this moment that brings both son and father together but which at the same time creates a whole new divide between them. Of especial note is the scene in which Carlos finally explains how important Luis is to him. There are tears and the heart is tugged but it is a credit to Demian Bichir that it is done with such diffidence. The attachment between father and son goes beyond their immediate predicament - and is something we can all relate to, illegal and citizen alike. This film movingly portrays the hardships and cruelties suffered by illegal immigrants in modern California. It resists the common tendency to find heroes and villains, instead showing how multi-dimensional the politics, families, gangsters and illegal's themselves can be - exactly as life is in our tangled reality. Chris Wietz must be applauded for this self-possessed sketch of the shadowy world in which millions scrape a living in modern America.

Worth watching, thought provoking. It shows the difficulties, expectations, and most of all hope that both dad and son have. A sensitve issue is covered very well.

An excellent film - moving story with brilliant performances from the father and son

Very sad and interesting with regard to the life of a Mexican living in LA- if you are feeling sorry for yourself this is a reality check

On the other hand some aspects of the film are very universal - the choices we make growing up, and the relationship between a parent and their child

Me, my 15 year old son and my husband were all in tears watching this film, which is happy and sad at the same itme

This is a good film. If you like action and special effects this is not for you. Liked the storyline and the personal side of the film and felt this gives some level of insight in the feelings and emotions of illegal immigrants in the US. Not a classic but a good, poignant, well-made film.