Review of A Better Life (2011) by Marcdoyle — 01 Jul 2011

Touching film. Demian Bicher is such a versatile actor - transforming from the powerful, commanding character in Weeds to the humble, honorable, respectful, and would-be invisible immigrant raising his teenage son.

Yes, there are some cliches, but the film vividly puts human faces on a terribly difficult issue. I was glad to see that the police and court-appointed lawyers at the detention center weren't portrayed as unfeeling monsters - there was a degree of sympathy and understanding there.

And the threat of the gang life for the son was just enough - if the son had been drawn fully into it, it would have been too hope-crushing for the father. Well-done film, but not great. Made me want to catch The Visitor and American Me again.