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
Labels:

Recently Read

Dome Pondering Move Review: Say You Will (2017)

What is it about? A recent high school graduate cares for his mother while attempting to navigate his first relationship following his father's suicide.  Who is in it? Travis Tope - Sam Nimitz Katherine Hughes - Ellie Vaughn Favorite Scene: [spoiler alert] Sam plays his song for his mom. Favorite Quote: Ellie: "I wish we could have met down the road, maybe when we were like 27." Sam: "I think we needed each other now." Review:  Say You Will was an absolutely pleasant surprise of a watch from the Amazon Prime offerings.  I wasn't exactly sure what to expect with this one, but after the credits rolled, it was a movie that provided authentic characters and a great lesson on life. We don't always have to have everything figured out, and it's okay if you don't.  What makes Say You Will so beautiful is that all of the characters are carrying some inner struggle that connects them in the moment and time that helps them through whatever it is. The unlike...
Read more

Remembering Hulkamania

What a complicated mess this news leaves me in. Hulk Hogan. Dead. At 71. I was never a fan of Hogan (in the world of pro wrestling)…I was a Macho Man Randy Savage guy, and later on, a Bret Hart guy (and still am). But like every other wrestling fan from the ’80s through now, Hulk Hogan’s presence and legend are undeniable.  Terry Bolea transcended wrestling as Hulk Hogan and helped the art form take its first step into the mainstream of pop culture.  He later reinvented the business once again with the greatest heel turn ever at Bash at the Beach 1996. Many have changed the business once, but twice? Significantly?! Hogan’s run as Hulkamania and as Hollywood makes a case for the best to ever do it - I can't think of anyone on such a high level on both sides of the pro wrestling coin as a babyface and heel. Every pro wrestling Mount Rushmore (as dumb as these lists have become) includes Hulk Hogan, period. But Hogan is also so instrumental in my ever-evolving ability to separate...
Read more

Dome Pondering Movie Review: Hello, I Must Be Going (2012)

What is it about? A woman moves back in with her parents following a shocking divorce. An unlikely affair with a younger guy revives her life and perspective on marriage. Who is in it? Melanie Lynskey - Amy Christopher Abbott - Jeremy Blythe Danner - Ruth Favorite Scene: Amy's dad, who is often much easier on her than her mom, comes to her bedside and gives her some money. She refuses, then he insists. She then asks, "whose happiness are you buying?" Favorite Quote: Where the f** is 'bottom'? Where the motherf***ing f*** is motherf***ing 'bottom'? Review: Hello, I Must Be Going was an interesting watch. I've always found Melanie Lynskey to be an intriguing actor, and her role in this was just that.  What makes this film so interesting is that, going into the film, you believed this would be a film documenting Amy's journey from recent divorcee into...well, wherever it is she goes. The beauty of this film is that Amy's journey was just a public...
Read more