Lately all of been watching are big summer blockbusters. Not that I mind them so much, but sometimes a break from the action and explosions is needed. This is how I stumbled upon this gem, A Better Life. A Better Life, an indie drama directed by Chris Weitz (New Moon, About A Boy), is one of the best dramas I have watched this year. Everything about it is impeccable and real. The only thing disappointing about it is that its release is buried under all of the flashy summer blockbusters.
A Better Life is about an undocumented immigrant and his son, and their efforts to achieve a better life in America. Carlos (Demián Bichir) is a landscaper and tries to stay below the radar. When his boss tells him that he’ll be moving back to Mexico, Carlos decides to buy his boss’ truck so he can take over the landscaping business. When the truck gets stolen, Carlos and his son, Luis, team up to search for the truck.
The movie gives real perspective to an undocumented immigrant’s life. Nothing is sugar-coated or exaggerated. As someone who has went on service trips to Mexico to learn and speak to undocumented immigrants, I was very pleased by how realistic the film turned out to be. The media can distort how the public sees illegal immigration, and this film raises above all that and delivers a heartfelt human story.
The story is backed up with amazing performances. If Demián Bichir wasn’t on your radar before, he will be now. The classically handsome Bichir started out acting in telenovelas and later achieved some recognition playing Fidel Castro in Steven Soderbergh’s Che. Carlos is a simple, honest man, but Bichir packs a ton of power in his performance. It’s subtle, and by the end, it blows you away. Luis is played by José Julián. Luis is smart and has ambition. He skirts around the gangs, unsure whether he should just give in and join one. Julián plays Luis well; you see the conflict in his eyes when he’s choosing between his father and life as a gang member.
Movies like A Better Life and About A Boy fit Chris Weitz well. I personally thought he did a decent job with New Moon; he was just handicapped by the storyline. For A Better Life, he reteams with some of the crew he worked with on New Moon. I guess you can say that this second time around was much more improved.
I hope that A Better Life gets some recognition during awards season. The fact that it’s being released now instead of later in the year hinders its chances. However, I think a nomination for Bichir is possible, and I really really hope it happens.
I can’t recommend A Better Life enough. Don’t let the subject matter persuade you not to see it. It’s relatable on all different kinds of levels. Take a break from all the explosions, raunchy jokes, and cheesy characters, and GO SEE THIS MOVIE.
A Better Life is now playing select theaters in NY, CA & TX. It’s slowly expanding its release. Check out the A Better Life Facebook page for information on where and when it will open next!
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