Review of A Better Life (2011) by Joel M — 02 Feb 2012

"A Better Life" could have been a little better movie, but you could not have asked for a better performance from its lead actor Demian Bechir. The film stars Bechir as Carlos Galindo, an L.A. gardener who has resided in the U.S. as an illegal immigrant for almost two decades. His son Luis was born in the United States and Carlos raised him for most of his life as a single parent. Carlos wants a (see movie title) for Luis; so after some procrastination, he decides to buy his former boss' gardening truck in order to start his own gardening business. At the same time, Luis gets tempted to live "a thugger life" due to being with the wrong crowd, and of course it does not help that he lives in gang- ridden California. Director Chris Weitz makes a wise move by prioritizing the film not so much as an immigration "pursuit of residency" tale, but more as an authentic look at the relationship between a father and a son in today's cultural diverse society. Eric Eason's moving screenplay deserved a better life during movie award season, as it was shut out for any screenplay recognition. Bechir's magnificent performance is for sure deserving of its Best Actor Oscar nomination. Where I felt that "A Better Life" could have bettered itself was in the film's supporting cast. In other words, a better thespian crew would have helped. Julio Julian who plays Luis, was no "J.J. Kid Dynamite" with his sappy performance. But don't get discouraged, come on man, cause Demian is the maaan that makes "A Better Life" worth for you to check out sometime during this lifetime. OK, this review is over, I have to return to my "A Get a Life" existence.

**** Good.