Giving a face to the plight of illegalsAs Carlos, an immigrant gardener working in Los Angeles, veteran Mexican actor Demian Bichir gives a compelling performance and brings undeniable compassion to his role as a single father of a 14 year old boy (Jose Julian, also excellent) who is drawn to the neighborhood gang. “A Better Life” is filled with tough and tender moments and makes its point subtly and effectively about the plight of many, if not all, illegals who are here to improve their way of life. Its a point, much like the film director Chris Weitz (“About a Boy”) has crafted, that is worthy of serious and unbiased examination.
PG-13 for some violence, language and brief drug use.
Grade: B+
Bruce Bennett Short Bio
Bruce Bennett has been the primary contributor to Mad About Movies since it began in 2003. He is an award winning film and theater critic who, since 2000, has been writing a weekly column in The Spectrum daily newspaper in southern Utah as well as serving as a contributing editor of “The Independent,” a monthly entertainment magazine. He is also the co-host of “Film Fanatics” a movie review show which earned a Telly in 2009. Bruce is also a featured contributor at: RottenTomatoes.com
His motto: "I see bad movies so you don't have to."