Parents' Guide to

A Better Life

By S. Jhoanna Robledo, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 14+

Eye-opening social drama about immigration and family.

Movie PG-13 2011 98 minutes
A Better Life Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this movie.

Community Reviews

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age 12+

Based on 3 parent reviews

Cempaxochitl
Cempaxochitl Parent of 9-year-old
August 24, 2021
age 8+

Educational movie for kids and teens.

Kids should watch it to have a real idea about the life for immigrants in USA. The actor Demián Bichir is amazing, one of the best Mexican actors, my kids loved the movie, we have to educate our kids so they can be aware of others life.

This title has:

Great messages
Great role models
MommaOfTwoo
MommaOfTwoo Parent of 1 and 2-year-old
March 4, 2013
age 15+

A Better Movie

While I liked this movie, there was so much bad language that i wasn't as impressed as I would have otherwise been. Good message of not giving up though.

This title has:

Great role models
Too much violence
Too much swearing
See all 3 parent reviews

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?

Our review:
Parents say (3):
Kids say (1):

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.

Talk to Your Kids 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?

Movie Details

  • In theaters: June 24, 2011
  • On DVD or streaming: October 18, 2011
  • Cast: Demian Bichir, Jose Julian
  • Director: Chris Weitz
  • Inclusion Information: Middle Eastern/North African actors, Latinx actors
  • Studio: Summit Entertainment
  • Genre: Drama
  • Run time: 98 minutes
  • MPAA rating: PG-13
  • MPAA explanation: some violence, language and brief drug use
  • Last updated: February 3, 2023

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