Review of A Better Life (2011) by Glenn G — 01 Jul 2011
This wonderfully moving film hit me in just the right way, and yet its pleasures seem to be off-putting to others. Playing like a glossier, updated variation of THE BICYCLE THIEF, this slice-of-life tale of an illegal immigrant gardener who struggles to find a better life for himself and his son, is refreshing in that it doesn't look like your typical grainy, gritty Sundance entry.
It's as if Chris Weitz wanted to give the Latino community something beautiful to look at while examining their lives. With two wonderful lead performances by Demian Bichir (towering and subtle) and Jose Julian (perfectly stoic and commanding), A BETTER LIFE really takes off when a theft and betrayal turns our main character's world upside-down.
There's an inevitability to the proceedings here that makes total sense once you realize the portrait Weitz is painting of these modern-day Angelenos. This is vital, not always subtle, not perfect, but perfectly moving filmmaking.
This review of A Better Life (2011) was written by Glenn G on 01 Jul 2011.
A Better Life has generally received positive reviews.
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