 | ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids. |
 | OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | NOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age. |
A Better Life
- Review Date: June 24, 2011
- PG-13
- Genre: Drama
- 2011
Common Sense Media says
Eye-opening social drama about immigration and family.
Parents say
Kids say
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that this enlightening, sometimes heartbreaking drama about the illegal immigrant experience pulls no punches in its portrayal of a hardscrabble life, addressing the challenges that the undocumented face without lecturing -- or pandering. Expect the occasional barrage of swearing (including "f--k" and "s--t"), some teen drinking, and a frank look at the lure of gang life in the city. Guns are used, and there are some fights.
What's the story?
He may be a day laborer, but Carlos (Demian Bichir) has big dreams for himself and his son. So when a colleague offers Carlos the opportunity to buy his truck and the gardening clients he has collected through the years, Carlos feels the pull of hope. With his sister's help, Carlos makes the investment, dangling the news to his wayward teenage son, Luis (Jose Julian), like keys to a better life. He worries for Luis, whose gang-banging friends are luring him down a dangerous path. But when the truck is stolen, Carlos and his son decide they won't sit by and stay victims. They'll get it back -- at whatever cost.
Is it any good?
When a movie is able to bring to life a politically loaded issue without being suffused with cliches and rhetoric, it's a miracle. That's exactly what A BETTER LIFE accomplishes; it's a nuanced, sensitive, moving examination of the illegal immigrant experience in modern America. It's a well-crafted movie -- taut when called for, pensive when necessary. It zigzags fluidly between social commentary and family drama, never tipping each side too heavily so as to achieve a delicate balance.
And at its core are two great actors, Bichir and Julian, who manage to make the script come to life with authenticity and empathy. Luis' struggles as a teenager trying to live boldly yet conscientiously could have used some fine-tuning -- some sections seem like shorthand -- but this quibble won't weaken a strong film deserving of an audience.
What families can talk about
Families can talk about how the movie portrays undocumented workers and their families. Is it objective, or are viewers meant to take away a specific message? Would you consider that message political?
What is the film's take on the immigration debate? Do you agree? Why or why not?
How does the media typically depict father-son relationships? How does this movie compare?
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AGE
Worthwhile and thought-provoking
This film provoked a lot of thoughtful conversation in our home, much of it initiated by our daughter (13). It really touched her, while introducing her to a world she had no idea existed, that of illegal immigrants in this country. A beautiful and sometimes wrenching story.
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Kid, 11 years old
January 19, 2012
AGE
This Movie Made Me Have a Better Life
This movie teaches preteens what real life problems are. There are many things to discuss with your kids. Almost every teen will somehow encounter gangs and stuff like that. If you think your kid(s) can handle the fact that there are gangs doing bad stuff and people stealing vehicles, then it is nice to show this film to them. I'm hearing that there's an f-bomb in this film, but I watched this in the airplane and maybe they censored it, but there are still mild obscenities scattered throughout this film. And this film also depicts some drug use. But despite all that, there are strong positive messages and role models by the main characters. The son is bad at first, but then he eventually turns good. Demian Bichir gives an Oscar-worthy performance as the main character. There's one scene at the end that will break everybody's heart. I thought the director from New Moon (the second film of the Twilight film series) was going to fail again like he did with New Moon, but this time, he completely switched gears and made the movie that everybody will love.
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| Studio: | Summit Entertainment |
| Director: | Chris Weitz |
| Cast: | Demian Bichir, Jose Julian |
| Genre: | Drama |
| Run time: | 98 minutes |
| Theatrical release date: | June 24, 2011 |
| DVD release date: | October 18, 2011 |
| MPAA rating: | PG-13 |
| MPAA explanation: | some violence, language and brief drug use |
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