Review of A Better Life (2011) by Robert C — 22 Dec 2011

Man, Demian Bichir comes out of nowhere to deliver a great performance as a Mexican laborer trying to do the right thing. I've long supported the rights of Mexican workers, and actually kind of look up to many Mexicans, and Bichir portrays a great character. Right up there with Eduardo Verastegui in Bella, or Kevin Costner in Company Men, or a whole lot of Ryan Gosling characters.

Bichir is a gardener in Los Angeles. His teenage son, mostly due to the school he attends, flirts with the idea of becoming a gangbanger. Bichir is trying to prevent this at all costs, because all he really wants is for his son to be something. Some wise guys have said this film is a ripoff of the classic Bicycle Thief. Maybe it's a similar story line, but that's life. In this instance, Bichir buys a pickup from his former boss. The pickup is everything: his ticket to the American dream as it is his chance to run his own gardening business. He gives another Mexican a chance, and the guy steals the truck from him. Everything is downhill from there, except Bichir, who remains a great character. Even when things go wrong, he insists on doing right. It's a goddamn fine character.

Obviously, the movie has political undertones. Bichir is eventually deported despite a clean criminal and work history, and despite his 14 year old son not having a mother. Obviously, it helps the cause to have a character such as Bichir's. Really a perfect-type for whom you wish nothing but the best. Reality is a little different. People have their flaws. But undoubtedly, the system used by our piece of shit government could use massive reform. This movie is but a tool to shine a little light on a divisive issue, and also to highlight the human element. Ideally, you were human to begin with and already got that part. In that case, it's but another depressing story in a depressing world. But Bichir's character leaves room for hope that good can prevail, and the world need not change everyone into cynical, dishonest bastards.