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Download, Watch online A Better Life Movie.
| Genres: | Dr |
| Starring: | Nancy Lenehan, Tim Griffin, Gabriel Chavarria, Robert Peters, Demian Bichir, Joaquín Cosio, Valorie Hubbard |
| Director(s): | Chris Weitz |
| Available Quality: | Hi Def, Hi Def |
| Country: | USA |
| Year: | 2011 |
| IMDB Rating: | 6.9 |
A gardener in East L.A. struggles to keep his son away from gangs and immigration agents while trying to give his son the opportunities he never had.
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A Better Life (Hi Def) | Resolution: 1920x1080 px | Total Size: 6692 Mb |
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A Better Life (Hi Def) | Resolution: 1280x720 px | Total Size: 4456 Mb |
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Movie Photos: We have taken some photos of "A Better Life". They represent actual movie quality.
Visitor Reviews: (20)
JDSize 06 May 2012
Hope When All Is Lost
Film Critic from BW Times. I was able to catch an advance screening ofthis film the other night and what a pleasure it was to experience.From the trailer, I pretty much felt like it was another one of thosepessimistic man vs. the world stories, but stood corrected afterrealizing the depth and strength of such a wondrous story. Emphasizingone of the most pressing issues we have been facing, immigration, ABetter Life not only captures the difficulty of the life of animmigrant but also the substantial bond between father and son.Powerful performances by both the main characters played by DemianBichir and Jose Julian had so much chemistry that majestically captureda sincere sense of realism. The climactic scene between them near theend should be enough to get them Academy nominations. Another crucialfigure that Director Christ Weitz executed nicely was the appearance ofEast and Lower areas of LA. I invited a friend who grew up in such areaand he claimed that it was a true depiction; so much so that it broughtback memories of his childhood! A Better Life is a complete recipe ofamazing film-making, great storyline, and outstanding performances. Itis not trying to be predictable or unpredictable, it knocks theaudiences into life's difficulties by evoking aspects within oursociety. A must see cinematic adventure that will make you feel human.
jakeyog 06 May 2012
Oscar
I am a fan of the movies, i have seen all movie genres, i wasimpressive when i saw this movie, is Drama real life biography , greathistory , change the way you see the world, i will recommend this movieto all the public , it is a very good movie... The main actor is DemianBichir, he tell us the hard of life he has to live in California, heact as a father that has to work for his son that is in high school,Damian's wife was dead , so he es the father and mother in the house,sad movie because is real life that is happening in this life that isstranger to understand ..... c o o lm o v i e
tianafeghali 05 May 2012
Weitz has captured and affected the lives of many!
This movie was entertaining and a real eye opener! Everyone has a storyand people need to get over stereotypes and common perceptions. ABetter Life really reminded me of the neo realist film from Vittorio DeSica, Bicycle Thieves, but more in the present day. Many parts of thestory really allowed me to understand that most parents just want thebest for their family no matter what and although sometimes kids don'tseem to see that it's true. It means so much more that Chris Weitz ismore focused on the character plot lines rather than politicalpropaganda. I like how Chris allows all the characters to be equal evenif they are in a gang, gardeners, or even Santiago who steals thetruck. He allowed the viewers to go inside the home of gang members andsee them in their natural habitat; they are not all scary. When Luisand Carlos find Santiago and see that he sent the money for the truckaway they are angry but you can tell that Carlos understands. Heunderstands because he would do the same thing for his child andfamily. Luis is Americanized and is a different generation than hisfather but their forming bond is a central component in this story thatis really heart warming. The two scenes that really made my heart dropwas when Luis was in his abandoned home and looked out to the birdfeeder who was pecking at no food, just like Luis in his home, which isnow empty. The second was the conversation between Luis and Carlos inthe jail. It is just so powerful and real, I felt compassion andhardship while watching it. I really do hope that Carlos made it backto Luis I wish the story wouldn't end with that big cliffhanger! It'smaking me go nutts!! Chris Weitz has really captured an important issuewith country this day and I really am glad I got to see the other sidefor once! Definitely would recommend this is a great film.
Jackie Santizo 04 May 2012
Overall the movie is an inspirational and heartbreaking story that most first and second generation Latino children can identify with.
My professor showed this movie in my Chicano Studies class, I believeit was an excellent example of the struggle of a single parent. It'snot very often when we see that the main character is a single maleparent where machismo is not the biggest influence in the child'sdevelopment. In this movie the father just wants a better life for hisson and is willing to risk the law so that he proves to his son thatworking humbly will keep you from trouble. In Latino culture we seethat the father is strict and an enforcer of rules but in this moviethe father figured is portrayed as humble and fearful of all theobstacles that come with being an undocumented person. Overall themovie is an inspiration and heartbreaking story that most secondgeneration children can relate to.
Lizandro Melean 26 April 2012
Neo-realism and Hollywood collide!
Chris Weitz did a screening of this film at SMC, where I study film,and the reactions of the audience were engaging. The room was filledwith a great aura and that was because the screening was filled withpeople with ethnicities from all over the world and that made theexperience a lot more rewarding.This guy is the same one that brought us American Pie and the secondinstallment of the Twilight series? Yes he is, but let me tell yousomething, if these paychecks will make him do more movies like thisone, then bring another 4 twilight adaptations right now! The movie is about "Los Mojados", these people who everyday crosses theborder from Mexico to the US to look for "A Better Life" like the titleimplies, trying not to forget their roots, their culture and at thesame time struggling to find money to pay the rent, to eat and tosurvive in the United States without a SSN and without ID. You willwonder why we need to prove we're not from Mars with a visa if Godalready gave us permission to be here on earth every single second ofthe movie, absurd and unfair things this world has.The acting by Demián Bichir, who looks like a younger Vicente Fernándezto me, is invisible. You sometimes think you're watching a documentaryif it wasn't for the glossy production value of the flick.This movie needs to be seen by a wider audience, you need to look forit. If you do not feel touch by it, you're surely made out of stone.The direction by Chris Weitz captures the essence of East LA in asecond. There's a scene in the movie where in a matter of 3 minutes youcan see how many cultures collide in this side of Los Angeles and howthis story can repeat itself in several cultures.This is also a story about true love between a father and a son, andhow you can forget about everything and try every little thing to giveyour child the things he deserves.One of the best little movies I have seen this year.PS: If you like this one, and you're not afraid of B&W cinematography(no, it is not in 3D either) run and rent De Sica's Umberto D., a greatmasterpiece of Italian neorealism.
jimmytimmy1 26 April 2012
Film 7 - User Comment for "A Better Life"
I very much liked "A Better Life". Myself being an immigrant who grewup in the United States and raised by a single immigrant mother borewitness of the difficulties that the characters of Carlos Galindo andhis son Luis Galindo had to bear as a part of their immigrantexperience while trying to create a better future for themselves. "ABetter Life" is a touching portrayal of a hard-working gardener fatherwho despite living in a poor neighborhood never deviates from the realreason he decided to come to the States  to live a better life thanwhat he felt would be awaiting himself and his son in Mexico. "A BetterLife" shows how when a parent raises their child with care and love,the child will usually not stray off into a life of crime and violencebut will act on his own better judgment in life and will return thatcare and love to his/her parents because that is also what the childhas been raised with  love and care. 'A Better Life" showed how far aparent will go to create the best possible situation for his/her child,even if it means sleeping on the couch to allow the child to be morecomfortable on the bed  as Carlos did for his son Luis.
brocksilvey 03 April 2012
Too Much Earnestness Is a Bad Thing
Just because a film is earnest and has its heart in the right placedoesn't mean that it's inherently good, and sadly, that is the casewith "A Better Life." Though on second thought, maybe the film's not very good because it'sTOO earnest, in the style of a made-for-T.V. movie you might find onone of those middle-tier cable channels like Hallmark or Lifetime.Demian Bichir dutifully hits all of his marks as an immigrantstruggling to eke out a life for himself and his son by working as agardener for the affluent of L.A. But his performance isn't the kindthat lingers, and he wasn't compelling enough to make me really careall that much about his character or the greater injustice for whichhis character is a stand in. Things aren't helped at all by the factthat the actor who plays his adolescent son, and whom he's tryingdesperately to keep out of L.A.'s gang scene, just isn't very good.Pass this one by and you won't be missing much.Grade: C
red_identity 03 April 2012
Very effective
A Better Life is a pretty standard story. In fact, it's plot has somecontrivances that I wish it didn't, and it doesn't feel as smooth as Iwish, but for all of it's writing flaws, it still made me completelyempathize for these characters. I connected with them in part because Iknow too much of the hardships of these kinds of people. My parentshave had similar obstacles to overcome as well, and living not too faraway from the area shown in this film, I know what it can be like. Thisis a good film, but then there's Demian Bichir. This never once feels like acting, and it wasn't until the final scenebetween Bichir and his son that I realized how effective this film hadbeen. In that final scene, I actually let out tears. For the firsttime, the writing didn't feel contrived, or the dialogue weak. It allcame together for Bichir, and in that final scene you break down withhim. It is one of the best acted scenes of the year, and one of themost effective. It isn't until that final scene that you realize howmuch he has lured you in to his inner feelings, and how much he hasmade you care. It all sounds cheesy, and many times the film is, butthat final scene between father and son is the only scene from 2011that actually made me weep like a child. Powerful performance byBichir, and completely deserved his nomination. I also want to mentionthat Jose Julian is also quite effective.
thomas_canny 01 April 2012
Absolute slice of life
This movie really zooms in and looks into the humanity of the lives ofillegal immigrants in the US. The thing most Americans don't realize isthat immigrants, legal or not, are real people, who are doing the bestthey know how. I know that this movie captures this and displays it ina beautiful, moving way. I know that I really appreciate the realitythat this movie brings to light, which most people do not even care tosee. Also, If you are attempting to learn Spanish, and have reached somelevel of proficiency, this movie is a great way to test yourself.Enough of the movie is in English that you won't miss much withoutspeaking much Spanish, and the Spanish is very plain and understandablefor those who are learning.
gradyharp 01 April 2012
Examining Lives - A Father and Son Love Story
A BETTER LIFE is one of the more understated films to come out ofHollywood, a film that has the courage to tell a story that is sopolitically charged - the immigration debate - that releasing it now ison the one hand asking for negative responses and on the other handoffers to the public the real truths behind our quandary aboutimmigration. This country consists of immigrants - all of us - nomatter how far back we have to trace our ancestry: the only people whodid not begin their family history as immigrants from every country inthe world and the Native Americans, and look how we are treating them!If this film does nothing else than plead the case of humanunderstanding it will have accomplished more than legions of films thattouch this subject too lightly.Carlos Galindo (Demián Bichir, in an extraordinarily fine performance)crossed the border into the US with his new wife, looking for a way toimprove his life. Upon arriving his wife gave birth to their son Luis(José Julián) and then promptly left Carlos in search of a better life,leaving Carlos to raise Luis alone. Carlos is an honest, caring man whomust live in the shadow of being illegal: he cannot have a driver'slicense or papers that allow him the benefits of other people. Carloshas a steady job as a gardener with Blasco (JoaquÃn Cosio) who owns atruck and the two men work hard as gardeners. When the film opens Carlos is saving is money from working with Blasco,living in a tiny house in the smarmy side of Los Angeles, trying toprovide better schooling for his 15 year old Luis. Luis is of the agewhen he is easily influenced by his peers: his best friend is Ramon(Gabriel Chavarria) who is waiting to be of age to join the gang andforget about school in lieu of making money and living high. Luis istempted to follow him, but he still attends school despite frequentabsences and disinterest in education. Carlos is faced with a dilemma:Blasco wants to leave the business of gardening and suggests Carlos buyhis truck and tools and start his own business. While Carlos sees thefuture in owning his own business (he can provide hope for a betterlife for Luis) he doesn't have enough money saved to buy the truck. Hissister, indebted to Carlos for his protection and help, brings him hersavings and Carlos buys the truck. Luis is surprised and then proud ofhis father's courage, but the happiness is short lived as one of theday laborers Carlos befriended - Santiago (Carlos Linares) - steals thetruck, sells it on the black market and sends the money to his familyin Mexico. It is this moment that provides an important turn for therelationship between Carlos and Luis. Luis bonds with his father andtogether they manage to locate the truck and take it back, only to becaught by the police for driving without a windshield. Carlos isjailed, Luis is devastated, but as Carlos is deported Luis pleads withhim to 'come back home'. The film's ending tests the credibility a bitbut it is heartwarming nevertheless.The story as written by Eric Eason and Roger L. Simon is genuinely realand never veers toward the maudlin. They have created characters whonot only demonstrate the importance of father son understanding andrelationships, but they have approached the entire gamut of immigrantchallenges and the manner in which this country deals with currentimmigrants in an honest manner. Without waving banners for or againstimmigration problems director Chris Weitz offers us the opportunity tosee life from a different angle. One of the reasons this movie is sopowerful in its impact and message is due to the brilliant performanceby Demián Bichir, hopefully a candidate for an Oscar, and hisperformance is beautifully balanced by that of José Julián as his son.The film is scored by Alexandre Desplat and the music greatly enhancesthe rhythms of the story. There is such worth in this film that itwould be wise for everyone in this country to view it - and rememberour individual heritages and histories. Grady Harp
Rockwell_Fassbender 30 March 2012
A phenomenal performance in an ordinary film.
A Better Life is a character drama about an illegal immigrant. Justwith that sentence you probably have in your head an idea of exactlyhow the movie is going to plain out, and honestly you probably aren'tfar off. The film didn't really stray at all from the conventions ofit's type, but it's lifted up by the sensational performance of DemianBichir in the lead role. Bichir's Carlos Galindo is an immigrantgardener who is trying to keep his head down, survive and take care ofhis fourteen year old son.The story starts off a little loose, focusing more on it's characterand the themes that can face an illegal immigrant in America. There'ssome subplot with the son being courted by a gang at his school that ispretty poorly done and terribly written, but I think the first act iswhere the film is working at it's best. It tackles these themes in waysthat I found interesting and, on the shoulders of Bichir's great work,emotionally involving.There's a plot move at the end of the first act that turns the wholething into something more focused, but in focusing it down thisnarrative I think the film loses a lot of what it had going for it.Gone are the powerful, socially relevant themes and instead they'rereplaced with a half-hearted father/son relationship and a typicalnarrative that attempts to give thrills but mostly comes up empty. It'snever a movie that I had a hard time watching and it moves at a prettybrisk pace, but I was disappointed by the conventional route it endedup taking after having so much potential at first.Still, the whole thing is worth watching for Bichir's internallyexplosive performance. He really is everything that the few people whohave seen this film have claimed him to be; he wears this characterlike he lived in it his whole life. It's one of those performances thatis fused with an authenticity to the point where you forget he's actingand you might not realize just how impressive he is.Every blink of his eye, every movie of his jaw is in tune with thischaracter and he delivers a subtle, heartbreaking portrayal. You canfeel the weight of his burdens pushing down on his back at all times,constantly trying to climb a mountain of obstacles just to see his songrow up strong, healthy and morally just. It's a brilliant performancethat improves a disappointingly standard film.
Damion J. Rowan 30 March 2012
Very well done.....for a Lifetime movie.
Honestly, I am not sure what to say about this film. Demian Bachir,best known for his role on "Weeds," received a completely unexpectedOscar nomination for his role as Carlos, a Mexican single father,gardener, and illegal immigrant in Los Angeles who does all he can togive him and his fourteen-year old son...you guessed it...a betterlife.Not being very familiar with the situation of illegal immigrants inCalifornia, I would like to say that this seemed like a very genuineportrayal of the hardships that some of these men and women go through,but my assumption may or may not be an overstep. I cannot deny I wastouched very much by this film even though I felt some what manipulatedat times. It came across more like a Lifetime movie than a Hollywoodrelease. However, if the film's point was to give an emotional side tothe question and plight of illegal immigrants who are just trying to dogood, it succeeded.As for Bachir's Oscar nomination, I am not all together convinced it isdeserving. I am in no way trying to take anything away from what isdefinitely a solid, almost heartbreaking performance but a handsomeactor who, no doubt, has a bright future ahead of him in Hollywood, butI cannot help but think it just was not quite up to standard to havereceived such an honour and that the performance was nominated forpolitical reasons rather than artistic ones."A Better Life" could have been a better movie, but in terms of themessage it attempts to make, it is acknowledged, loud and clear.
sakasegawa 30 March 2012
true heartbreaker
I've seen a lot of movies in my time but this has to top the charts asone of my most heartfelt movies. "A Better Life" directed by ChrisWeitz follows Carlos Galindo a single father trying to provide for hisyouthful son Luis who is slowly breaking away from family values andquickly becoming a little gangster but as the movie progresses Luissee's past the gang and sides with his father. Once Luis decides thatfamily is most important however his father is quickly torn from himwhen he is caught by authorities and deported which was hard to watchknowing that Luis finally broke his shell and became close to hisfather. This movie truly struck a cord in my heart and although I cantempathize with Luis I can definitely sympathize and feel for him.
Boba_Fett1138 29 March 2012
Putting a human face on illegal immigrants.
Of course it's definitely true that illegal immigrants from Mexicodon't have the best reputation in America, to say the very least. It'sa big problem but of course there always is a very human side to theirstories and not everything is always as black and white as some peoplewould suggest. This movie gives illegal Mexican immigrants a humanface, by telling a very human, subtle, little drama.The movie had all of the ingredients in it to become a formulaic andpredictable drama. It also didn't had a big budget behind it, or anybig names involved, so this movie very easily could had become a veryforgettable and unremarkable one. Yet the movie manages to become waymore than that, by cleverly avoiding most of the clichés you wouldexpect in a movie like this and by not going for any cheap sentiments.The movie actually manages to surprise you by the direction it istaking at times. At certain moments it is suggesting to you it is goingto head into a certain direction but then it's doing something totallydifferent and unexpected. Plot lines are often being dropped forsomething totally new and different and in this case that is anapproach that actually works out well for this movie and its overallrealism and drama.What I also really liked about the approach was that it was constantlyfollowing a father and his 14-year old son. And no matter how bad theyseem to have it, they come across people who are off far worse thanthey are. It puts things totally in a different perspective and lightat times, which works out originally for its story as well.Yet I still don't rate this movie THAT highly and I also can't say thisis an absolute must-see. It obviously is a very recommendable movie butstill at the same time it also is being too little and simplistic withits resources to make a true lasting impression or a big impact. It's amovie that will stay on your mind for a while but not one you willstill think about much or highly, a couple of months, or so, later.This is not really being any criticism toward the movie itself though,since it does, what it does, oh so well.So yes, it definitely is a movie worth checking out because of itssubject and the way it's handling it.7/10http://bobafett1138.blogspot.com/
nama chakravorty 28 March 2012
Watch it for Demián Bichir's Masterful Performance!
2 Days back, Demián Bichir earned himself an Oscar-Nomination for BestActor in a Leading Role for 'A Better Life'. And that was it, I saw 'ABetter Life' exactly 24-hours later since his nomination was announced.Demián Bichir delivers a Masterful Performance. A performance, that isso well-done, it come across as an astonishing embodiment. He elevatesthis film! 'A Better Life' Synopsis: A gardener in East L.A. struggles to keep hisson away from gangs and immigration agents while trying to give his sonthe opportunities he never had.'A Better Life', even as a film, is worth-seeing, thanks to the themoving screenplay, written by Eric Eason. The relationship between theFather & his Son, is wonderfully handled & written. Chris Weitz Directsthis Human-Drama, with bravery. Cinematography is eye-filling. Editing& Art Design, are decent.On the whole, 'A Better Life' is well-made, but it's Demián Bichir'sembodiment, that makes this film unmissable.
billcr12 28 March 2012
Average immigrant story
A middle of the road struggling immigrant story which has been beforewith much better results.But still worthy for some very good performances by Demian Bechir asCarlos Santiago, a single undocumented Mexican father trying to raisehis son Luis(Jose Julian) while working as a landscaper in Los Angeles.Carlo's employer sells him his truck so that he cane be his own bossand live the American dream.When the truck is stolen, his dream turns into a nightmare.Along the way, while trying to recover the truck, we get some gangmembers, seemingly from "West Side Story" the sharks and the jets inmodern L.A. A rodeo is thrown into the mix for sentimental father-sonmoments and a weepy final scene bring this drama to an end.The music is above average but the script is weak. The director's heartis in the right place, but for a similar theme try "Sin Nombre" or "TheVisitor."
3xHCCH 25 March 2012
Just Another Immigrant Family Drama
I was only interested to watch "A Better Life" because of the BestActor Oscar nomination given its "unknown" (to me, at least) leadactor, Demian Bichir. Before watching the film, I did not even knowwhat nationality Mr. Bichir was. I even thought he might be from theMiddle East. Although the title was suggestive enough, I did not havean idea what the movie would be about.This is about a Mexican father who wishes for nothing more than "abetter life" for his son, even if it means resorting to illegalimmigration into the United States. He buys a truck to help his"illegal" gardening business progress, knowing fully well the risks ifhe was discovered. He also struggles to bond with his head-strongAmericanized 14-year old son, who also struggles to resist peerpressure among the Latino gangs in East LA. I will not spoil the storyanymore from here. Coming from the Third World myself, the story is something veryfamiliar. I did not really find anything extraordinary about the wholefilm. It felt like a B made-for-TV family drama movie. The actors weregenerally amateurish, especially the young actor playing the son JoseJulian. As for Mr. Demian Bichir, does he deserve the Oscar nomination?Okay, he is quite good, especially in those scenes where he showsdesperation and despair. But overall, for me, it is nothing we have notalready seen before in dramas like this.
Jorge Santillan 24 March 2012
Reaons to remain in the U.S.
"A Better Life", directed by Chris Weitz, sets to depicted the life ofa single, father and son, immigrant family living in Los Angeles. Weitz, in this movie depicts the daily struggles immigrant familiesface in their community and government. The movie also shows thehardships immigrant families must go through to attain a job and thelife their offspring live as a consequence of their legal status.This is a most see film, as it allows the audience to see vividly themotivation behind many immigrant families to remain in the U.S.This movie is likely to make you feel pity for those who are hardworking and unfortunate, as they are oppress from doing what theylove;working.
Oliver Ledger 17 March 2012
Effortlessly Beautiful!
Quite simply put this is an absolutely amazing film. Demian Bichir is top class and fully deserves his Oscar nomination andprobably deserves it more than most of the other nominees's. People aresaying its a shock nomination however if you have seen the film youwill understand completely why he got it. Truly beautiful and am not afraid to say it made me cry. i know this isa massive topic in the United States however absolutely anybody can andwill connect with this film. its not just a tail about illegalimmigrants its an incredibly powerful father and son tale.I will be tuning in to the academy awards this Sunday hoping he can winit!If anything just give the film a watch you wont be disappointed!
Ky Nguyen 16 March 2012
A true story that depicts the lives of so many Hispanic immigrants in America today
"A better life" depicts the life of many Hispanic immigrants who cameto America hoping for opportunities to seek the American dream. Themovie is about a father migrating to the United States seeking forbetter life for his family only to realized that it was tougher than hethought. Working as a gardener, he struggles to make enough to supportthe family. Aside from being financially unstable, he also struggles tospend time with his son. Easily influenced by gangs, drugs, andviolence, he tries his best to prevent his son from going into thatpath. A well directed movie with superb acting, this movie deserves tobe in the top 5 movies of the year. It is a heartfelt movie that willmake the audience fall in love with the characters and the storyline.Overall 11/10 stars