Rating:  

Starring: Demian Bichir, Jose Julian, Dolores Heredia, Joaquin Cosio, Bobby Soto, Chelsea Rendon, Carlos Linares, Gabriel Chavarria, Richard Cabral.
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Director: Chris Weitz
Rating: PG-13
Running Time: 98 Minutes
Release Date: June 24, 2011
Home Video Release Date: October 18, 2011
Box Office: $1.8 Million
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Depth Of Field, Lime Orchard Productions, McLaughlin Films, Witt/Thomas Productions, and Summit Entertainment.

Written by: Eric Eason; Story by Roger L. Smith.

“A Better Life” has many of the necessary tools to be a moving and insightful film, but unfortunately, we have a diffused film, riddled with dramatic flourishes, but indicative of many other films we have encountered before. Nothing that works here plays out any differently than an unremarkable well-made television movie.

Featuring a strong and well-mannered performance by Demian Bichir as Carlos, “A Better Life” provides us with a snapshot of illegal immigrant life in America. Carlos is a gardener in East L.A., who works tirelessly under the table from a busy landscaping company. Carlos works constantly and is home only long enough to eat, sleep, shower, and leave again. Living with his 15-year son, Luis (Jose Julian), Carlos’ schedule provides a lot of unsupervised time for Luis and through connections made through his girlfriend, Ruthie (Chelsea Rendon), Luis is starting to see glimpses into the enticing lifestyle of a gang. Luis sees money, power, and social status with the gang members he knows; essentially providing a vision of something he has never had.

One day, Carlos is presented with an offer to buy the landscaping truck that Carlos often uses from his boss, Blasco (Joaquin Cosio). Initially, Carlos balks at the idea for many different reasons but is gravely concerned that were he to possess the vehicle and get arrested, pulled over, or even stopped for any reason, his illegality would force him to be deported and render his son without a father, in a country he cannot live in.

The struggles of Carlos and Luis do not resemble those of Carlos’ sister, Anita (Dolores Heredia). Anita has done considerably better than her brother and lives a comfortable middle class existence. When Carlos broaches the subject of the truck with Anita, she is conflicted on whether to help him or not. Carlos has some demons in his past and Anita has obvious concerns. Eventually, Anita comes up with the necessary money to help Carlos buy the work truck and for Carlos, this is a telltale sign that the struggles he and Luis are enduring will turn around in no time.

At this point, “A Better Life” resembles the legendary and iconic Italian film, “The Bicycle Thief”. If you have seen that film, or are aware of its storyline, then you might know where “A Better Life” is headed next. Suffice to say, Carlos makes a foolish decision involving his new truck and finds the symbolic catalyst for his family’s newfound hope and prosperity gone in an instant. Fighting off the suffocating waves of depression and attempting to suppress past ills, Carlos must not only attempt to find and reclaim his truck, but also make sure that with life becoming more and more challenging, Luis is not slipping into a dangerous world he may never be able to see his way out of.

The main problem here with all of this is that “A Better Life” has every intention of telling a compelling story but has no idea on how to deliver it. Adapted from a story by writer Roger L. Simon and written for the screen by relative newcomer Eric Eason, “A Better Life” has atmosphere and emotion embedded in each and every scene, but fails to do anything all that original with the concepts and ideas. The film’s heart does beat strong amidst a sea of cheesy dialogue, heavy-handed and cliche riddled plot developments, and a paint-by-numbers screenplay. Director Chris Weitz, who has spent his last few years steering the ship of big-budget and high profile films “The Golden Compass” and “The Twilight Saga: New Moon”, has thankfully not lost the ability to think small and intimate in his storytelling. He just lacks much of anything to work with and “A Better Life” fails to really have a message, other than essentially stating the obvious.

Despite a heartfelt and moving lead performance by Demian Bichir, “A Better Life” fails to find anything profound to say on the hot button topic of illegal immigration. Stuck in a unwieldy cipher of heavy-handed messages and mawkish sentimentality, “A Better Life” is easy to watch, easy to connect with, but is mute and voiceless in a polarizing and politicized 2011. While it may be unfair to call “A Better Life” cowardly, its lack of originality and simplistic overtones prove frustrating; amounting to a film that is a well intentioned missed opportunity.

Should I See It?

YES

Fans of quiet, contemplative, independent-made dramas may find a great deal to like here with the performance of Demian Bichir proving memorable and honest.

A message film that goes easy on the prophesying, “A Better Life” does at least make the topic of illegal immigration and the arguments for and against the system we have now, something you cannot help but ponder while watching the movie.

With the potential to be a dark and visceral film, “A Better Life” plays softer and gentler than you might expect. Reminiscent of the classic “The Bicycle Thief”, this film does not dwell in the despair and hopelessness which permeates its inspiration.

NO

There is nothing really profound here and as a result, “A Better Life” amounts to nothing more than a shoulder shrug of a viewing experience. Its instantly forgettable.

Despite winning work by Bichir, every other character feels stock and contrived, falsifying the impact even further. As Luis, young actor Jose Julian has a few nice moments, but ultimately this film is anchored down by characters who never emerge from the paper they were created on.