Thinking about his son's future, Carlos borrows some money from his sister (Delores Heredia) so he can buy Blasco's truck and lawn service. A Better Life is a 2011 Mexican-American drama film directed by Chris Weitz and written by Eric Eason. He works as part of a two-man crew with Blasco Martinez (Joaquín Cosio) as a gardener. We have all been boundary crossers in a quest that takes us into strange territory. Rack up 500 points and you'll score a $5 reward for more movies. A Better Life is directed by Chris Weitz (About a Boy) from a screenplay by Eric Eason and a story by Roger Simon. From start to finish, we empathize with the yearnings of Carlos, a loving single parent and a hard worker whose humble life is animated by old-fashioned virtues. Immigrants around the world live in constant fear of exposure. Looking for movie tickets? Special features on the DVD include an audio commentary with director Chris Weitz; deleted scenes; and the "Jarinero" music video by Ozomatli. Demián Bichir was nominated for an Oscar for Best Actor. 1 hr 38 min. Carlos Galindo (Demian Bichir), a Mexican-born gardener, is an illegal immigrant who works for Blasco (Joaquin Cosio). Synopsis From the director of About a Boy comes A BETTER LIFE – a touching, poignant, multi-generational story about a father’s love and the lengths a parent will go to give his child the opportunities he never had. Carlos (Demian Bichir) keeps a low profile, works hard, holds traditional values. As a single parent, he is trying very hard to do right by his boy even to the extent of giving him the only bedroom and sleeping on the couch. Fandango helps you go back to the movies with confidence and peace of mind. Perhaps that explains the close identification we feel with immigrants and their yearning to find a new and better life. Spirituality & Practice. Even in something as simple as climbing a tree at work, he puts other people first instead of taking center stage. SEE DETAILS. It is one of the Most Spiritually Literate The one quality that stands out in Carlos and in all refugees is the yearning for a better life. He lives in a very small house in the barrio of Los Angeles with his teenage son Luis (Jose Julian). when you purchase 3 participating Suave products 9/1-10/31 at Walmart or Walmart.com. And we can sympathize with that since we have felt the same thing. They worry about being caught without documents and sent back to where they came from originally. We found ourselves weeping with Carlos over his loss and hoping that he would be able to make it through the disaster he endures and come out unscathed on the other side. Such an incident would lead to arrest and deportation. They cannot go to the police for help. Welcome Back to Movie Theaters Fandango helps you go back to the movies with confidence and peace of mind. It is a glorious day when Carlos drives his truck to pick up a day laborer on the same corner where he once looked for work. "And now, from all our travails and all our triumphs, don't we find that through the bloodlines of our souls, we are not separate and not alone, but related to every soul who ever struggles and strives toward goodness?" His spirits are high when the two of them start a new lawn service project. He misses school, he quietly considers his dad an irrelevant loser, and when he asks for money and there isn't any, he knows how to get under his … The main problem he faces is that he has no driver's license and cannot afford to be stopped by the police. Screen Reader Users: To optimize your experience with your screen reading software, please use our Flixster.com website, which has the same tickets as our Fandango.com and MovieTickets.com websites. PG-13 - some violence, language, brief drug use. But Carlos is shocked when the stranger steals his truck and drives away leaving him stranded. And we predict, you will too. Luis (Jose Julian) hasn't joined a gang in his neighborhood yet, but that would seem to be his trajectory. Tyler Posey realizes he's on his own in an exclusive clip from 'Alone,' now on FandangoNOW, What to Watch on FandangoNOW: Smiths-Inspired ‘The More You Ignore Me,’ Horror Movie Collections and More, This Week in Family Movie News: ‘Thomas & Friends’ Coming Down the Track, First ‘Addams Family 2’ Teaser and More, PG-13, Get your swag on with discounted movies to stream at home, exclusive movie gear, access to advanced screenings and discounts galore. From start to finish, we empathize with the yearnings of Carlos, a loving single parent and a hard worker whose humble life is animated by old-fashioned virtues. A Better Life is directed by Chris Weitz (About a Boy) from a screenplay by Eric Eason and a story by Roger Simon. Blasco is ready to return to Mexico and continually tries to persuade Carlos to purchase his business from him, which includes the work truck and professional gardening tools. It is one of the Most Spiritually Literate films of 2011. It enables us to cross borders despite the dangers. films of 2011. Throughout this intense drama, we have high hopes that Carlos will succeed given his determination and big-heartedness. Enter your location to see which Carlos enlists the aid of his son to search for the thief. Luis is a smart and street savvy kid, and he and his best friend are being courted by a local gang. Demian Bichir puts in an incredibly low-key and authentic performance which touches our hearts. Collect bonus rewards from our many partners, including AMC, Stubs, Cinemark Connections, Regal Crown Club when you link accounts. They track him to a crowded apartment where many illegal immigrants are stacked in bunk beds and living in terrible conditions, to the kitchen where he works as a dishwasher, only to find he's already sold the truck and sent the money to Mexico. A touching and authentic immigrant tale that touches the heart and is one of the most spiritually literate films of 2011. Earn 125 points on every ticket you buy. The Buddhists believe that we have all been other people in previous incarnations. On their quest to get the truck back and set their dreams of a better life back on track, Carlos and Luis draw closer together than ever before. In "A Better Life," these two men are being pulled apart by life in America. He is a little embarrassed by the old-fashioned morality and courtesy of his father. movie theaters are playing A Better Life near you. A Better Life begins with Carlos Galindo (Demián Bichir) waking up and going to work. Like the Jews in the wilderness, they are seeking a safe refuge. We know life happens, so if something comes up, you can return or exchange your tickets up until the posted showtime. From the director of About a Boy comes A BETTER LIFE – a touching, poignant, multi-generational story about a father’s love and the lengths a parent will go to give his child the opportunities he never had. — from "We Are All Immigrants" from The Dangerous Old Woman by Clarissa Pinkola Estes. Desire is a great force field that takes us beyond ourselves. Sign up for a FANALERT® and be the first to know when tickets and other exclusives are available in your area. It is based on Roger L. Simon's story and follows an undocumented immigrant gardener and his son finding their stolen rent-to-own truck.