Skip to main content

Dome Pondering Movie Review: A Better Life (2011)

What is it about? 

In an attempt to provide a better life for his son, an illegal immigrant in East L.A. struggles amidst issues of immigration, neighborhood gang life, and financial woes. 

Who is in it? 

Demian Bichir - Carlos Galindo

Jose Julian - Luis Galindo

Favorite Scene: 

After finding an escaping Santiago, the man that stole his truck, Luis tackles him and pummels him. Carlos finally catches up and tells Luis that its enough. Carlos searches Santiago for the keys and finds a money transfer receipt of $3,000 to Mexico. Carlos then stares at Santiago with a look of empathy, rather that hate.

Favorite Quote:

"I don't understand it. Why do all of these poor people have kids? What's the point?"

Review: 

A Better Life is a much better movie than you would expect after reading the short summary on the back of the DVD case. Actually, A Better Life is a damn good film, and one that should be amongst the best in 2011. The film's plot surrounds the issues of illegal immigrants and their quest to provide a better life for their American born children. The film gives a different look than the usual, and very stereotypical, viewpoint of immigrants and their objectives, and includes a much needed focus on the clash of cultures and lost heritage between illegal immigrant parents and their American children. 

However, what the film does really well, is it's ability to keep the issues and characters real. By doing this, A Better Life provides a film that is very emotional. Often, the term is throw around, but A Better Life has an innate ability to connect with the viewer, cause you to fall in love with the character, Carlos and his overall kindness, and the boundaries he is willing to cross to give his son a better life. 

A Better Life is very much worth the watch. Very much recommended for migrant families and children. Demian Bichir's performance is worth the Oscar nomination he received for the film.

All in all, go out of your way to see this film. And for the easily emotional, having a box of tissues nearby is a must.

Grade: 4.25/5

Recent Favorites

Yankees 2024 World Series - Ponderings and Stuff

I thought I would try something different for the 2024 World Series, especially since my Yankees are in it, and offer some quick ponderings and share some stuff from my thought process. Why not?  I expect a tough and arduous series. In many ways in approaching it, I would be shocked if this goes five or fewer games to either side. Obviously, I wouldn't mind if it happened for the Yankees.  Whoever wins, maybe they should also get claim to the 2017 World Series title. I'm kidding. Sort of... Game 1 Dodgers d. Yankees, 6-3  (LAD Leads Series 1-0) This is one of those games where I love baseball, but I hate it. That was a tremendous game if I didn't have a rooting interest. However, I do. And baseball, by nature, has a flair for creating moments that can rip your heart out as a fan. This one did. It's up there, to be honest. In this time, it feels worse than Sandy Alomar's home run off of Mo in 1997. But likely to not leave me in my feelings like the 2001 World Series

Page of Fame Class 2016 - The "Flip Play"

I laid there, nervous, hoping the Yankees could somehow hold on and squeak out a win over the Oakland Athletics to keep the season alive. Then it happened. Terrence Long ripped a liner down the right field line. Shane Spencer, in all of his instant-glory, over threw both Alfonso Soriano and Tino Martinez. Here came Jeremy Giambi, carrying the weight of being Jason's brother in a rage in which he moved around the bases. Then suddenly, like a Super Hero, Derek Jeter comes out of no where, probably with his cape flailing from around his neck, picks up the errant throw, shovels it to a waiting Jorge Posada, tagging Giambi for the out 

Knicks Trade is Great - However, Julius Got Us Here

I purposely took some time before posting on this recent trade. It came out of absolutely nowhere and left me in shock on that fateful Saturday night - even though, every Knick fan knew a Julius Randle trade was inevitable. Karl-Anthony Towns is an amazing talent. He’s All-NBA. He’s an All-Star. And in many ways, he’s a very, very, very unique and select talent. Also yes, he has flaws. Who doesn't in today's debate-anything landscape?  For pure basketball reasons, Towns as a Knick makes sense. The spacing is better. The options are better. The style of play is better defined. And the opportunity for the ultimate, an NBA championship, is increased. However, this trade gets all the feels when we focus on Julius Randle. If you follow this little slice of the internet, you probably have gathered that I’ve been a loyal Randle supporter since arriving in 2010. His potential was there. Yes, he’s been frustrating. There were moments of high-level frustration. But Randle has been our gu