Description: A Better Life is a 2011 American drama film directed by Chris Weitz and written by Eric Eason, based on a story by Roger L. Simon. It stars Demián Bichir as an undocumented immigrant gardener in Los Angeles who, along with his teenage son, attempts to find his stolen truck.The film received a limited release in the United States on June 24, 2011, by Summit Entertainment. For his performance, Bichir was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Actor.PlotCarlos Galindo is a gardener in Los Angeles working with his partner, Blasco. His son, Luis, studies at high school. Luis spends time with his girlfriend, who is affiliated with gang members. They pressure him to join them. On one occasion, Luis is suspended for assaulting a student.Carlos' sister, Anita, lends $12,000 from the family's emergency fund for Carlos to buy Blasco's truck. It is later stolen by Santiago, whom Carlos hired. The next day, Carlos and Luis head to a South Central apartment complex, which is used as lodgings for undocumented immigrant workers. One man tells the two that Santiago works at a nightclub. Carlos and Luis head to the restaurant, which would open during the night. At the rodeo, Carlos mentions to Luis about his mother abandoning them.Luis mentions that he dislikes Mexican music and culture. After finding Santiago at the nightclub, Carlos and Luis interrogate him in the parking lot. They learn that he has sold the truck to a black market garage and sent the money to his family in El Salvador. When Santiago pleads not guilty, Carlos defends him and Luis angrily leaves them. The next day, Carlos convinces Luis to go with him to the black market garage where the truck is.They retrieve the truck but are stopped by the police. Carlos is arrested and incarcerated in the United States as an undocumented immigrant. Luis visits the detention center and reconciles with his father. After promising Luis that he will return, Carlos boards the deportation bus and is sent back to Mexico. Although Luis' friends are joining gangs, he rejects that life and goes to live with his aunt's family. In time (the period isn't given,) Carlos returns illegally to the United States to be with Luis, using a coyote to guide him and other migrants through the desert, knowing that, as a returning deportee, he'll face criminal charges if he's caught.CastDemián Bichir as Carlos GalindoJosé Julián as Luis GalindoDolores Heredia as AnitaCarlos Linares as SantiagoEddie "Piolín" Sotelo as himselfJoaquín Cosío as Blasco MartinezNancy Lenehan as Mrs. DonnelyGabriel Chavarria as RamonProductionThe film was originally titled The Gardener. Uncommon among Hollywood productions, it is set in a Hispanic community and features an almost entirely Hispanic cast.Weitz used the film to explore the culture and geography of Los Angeles. Father Gregory Boyle of Homeboy Industries, run by former gang members, helped Weitz and his crew with finding locations and making their film as authentic as possible. The language of the script was modified to reflect the actual slang used in Los Angeles, even reflecting linguistic differences from the street.
Price: 6 USD
Location: New York, New York
End Time: 2024-12-09T20:33:44.000Z
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Item Specifics
Restocking Fee: No
Return shipping will be paid by: Seller
All returns accepted: Returns Accepted
Item must be returned within: 30 Days
Refund will be given as: Money Back
Case Type: Cardboard Sleeve
Rating: PG-13
MPN: Does not apply
Studio: Summit Inc/Lionsgate
Format: DVD
Unit Type: Unit
Region Code: DVD: 1 (US, Canada...)
Release Year: 2011
Language: English
Actor: Demián Bichir
Features: Academy Screener "For Your Consideration" appears briefly as subt
Movie/TV Title: A Better Life
Unit Quantity: 1
Season: n/a
Video Format: NTSC
Music Artist: Alexandre Desplat
Cinematic Movement: Drama
Director: Chris Weitz
Sub-Genre: Drama
Franchise: n/a
Edition: Promo
Aspect Ratio: 16:9
Type: Movie
Producer: Paul Junger Witt, Christian McLaughlin, Chris Weitz, Jami Gertz
Genre: Drama
Run Time: 94 minutes
Country/Region of Manufacture: United States