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

Recently Read

Quick Ponder: Future Self

We always think,  what would we say  to our  younger self? However,  what would  our younger self say  if they met us, today?

Knicks Trauma - Ugh Not Again

Well, that was a kick in the stomach.  Coming off a week where the word "catharsis" was used as the description for the euphoria and release of joy from two and a half decades of suffering, Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals against the Indiana Pacers brought about another word - trauma.  Watching the Knicks collapse was the kind of moments that come with these deep runs and moments. NBA Playoff basketball will do that. Yet, this loss - this one - feels about as bad as the 2004 ALCS when the Yankees collapsed in the series to the Boston Red Sox.  That one carries some serious trauma. Luckily, the series isn't over.  Some other quick thoughts from this awful, awful night, New York Knicks Basketball.  - Not to conjure up hyperbole, or even contribute to "hot take" sports reaction culture - but this might have been the worst loss in Knicks franchise history. I cannot think of another in my lifetime, or historically.  - Tyrese Haliburton's "choke"...

Knicks Back in ECF Causing Catharsis

I've certainly shared my emotions and thoughts regarding the New York Knicks on this site over the years. There have been plenty of those to sort through - most of them are rants. Tonight, the New York Knicks ultimately destroyed the Boston Celtics in Game 6 of the Eastern Conference Semi-Finals, 119-81. I sat on my couch, afraid to allow myself to feel joy until that final buzzer. As a Knicks fan, I've been through too much to allow myself to do anything else, to make any assumption, until it was final. Until it was confirmed. Until something couldn't fall through...the way we're used to.  Once it was final, it was unreal.  The New York Knicks are in the Eastern Conference Finals. For the first time since 2000.  I was 15 years old the last time that happened. And that was a run with a squad that I consider (still) to be my favorite Knicks team of all-time.  I sat on my couch with all sorts of feelings. My wife was likely trying to understand the moment. My son, exci...