Review of A Better Life (2011) by Hriday S — 10 Feb 2012

What a truly beautiful film. I was so happy that I decided to check this one out with my girlfriend tonight. The movie is about an illegal Mexican immigrant named Carlos that lives as a single parent with his son Luis.

He is struggling to make ends meet and one day buys a truck in the hopes he will be able to get enough money to have his son go to a better school and overall have a much better life away from the gangs and violence of where they live now.

Demian Bichir as Carlos does an absolute magnificent job. He is so kind to everyone even those that put him down or treat him like shit...you just connect with the guy. His truck is stolen at one point in the movie and it becomes a bit of a "Mexican" version of the film Bicycle Thieves.

...its wonderful. The ending monologue is so strong that I was literally in tears..yeah I'll admit it....it hits hard and just shows that some people may try so hard and not even realize that they've already achieved their goal and overall are just wonderful people.

I really enjoyed this film and can't recommend it enough!!!