A Better Life Movie Cast, Summary & Where To Watch
The article is about a drama written by Eric Eason and directed by Chris Weitz. A Better Life is based on a story by Roger L. Simon. The film was released in the US by Summit Entertainment, Film Flex, on June 24, 2011. In this article, we are going to discuss the cast of the Better Life movie and its summary.
Production and Budget of A Better Life Movie
The film was originally titled The Gardner. Weitz makes the film to explore the culture and geography of Los Angeles. The language of the script was modified to reflect the actual slang used in Los Angeles, even reflecting linguistic differences from the street. The calculated budget for A Better Life movie was $10 million.
A Better Life Movie Details
- Genre: Drama
- Original Language: English
- Director: Chris Weitz
- Producers: Jami Gertz, Christian McLaughlin, Stacey Lubliner
- Writers: Eric Eason, Roger L. Simon
- Release Date (Theaters): Jun 24, 2011 Limited
- Release Date (Streaming): Oct 18, 2011
- Box Office (Gross USA): $1.8M
- Runtime: 1h 38m
- Distributor: Summit Entertainment
- Production Co: Summit Entertainment
- Sound Mix: Dolby Digital, DTS
- Rating: PG-13 (Language|Brief Drug Use|Some Violence)
A Better Life Movie Cast, Summary & Where To Watch
A Better Life Movie Cast
Demián Bichir as Carlos Galindo
- Born: 1963 (age 60 years), Torreón, Mexico
- Spouse: Stefanie Sherk (m. 2011–2019), Lisset (m. 2001–2003)
- Height: 5′ 10″
- Parents: Alejandro Bichir, Maricruz Nájera
- Siblings: Bruno Bichir, Odiseo Bichir
- Children: 1
He was born in 1963. Bichir was born in Torren. He is a Mexican actor. After starring in telenovelas, he began to appear in Hollywood films. He was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Actor for his role in A Better Life. He worked at the National Theater Company, Shakespeare and Dostoyevsky, and the Mexican Association of Theater Critics
José Julián as Luis Galindo
José Julián is an actor, known for A Better Life (2011), Murder in the Woods (2017) Shameless (2011). He portrays Gordie in The Society.
Nancy Lenehan as Mrs. Donnely
Nancy Lenehan (born April 26, 1953) is an American actress. She made her big screen debut in the 1980 action comedy film Smokey and the Bendit. She has appeared in featured, recurring and guest roles in many television shows, television movies, and feature films, including Malcolm in the Middle, Everybody Loves Raymond, Judging Amy, Gilmore Girls, Caroline in the City, Dharma & Greg, Buffy The Vampire Slayer, 3rd Rock from the Sun, ER, Boy Meets World, The Nanny, Quantum Leap, Roseanne, V, The Facts of Life, Hill Street Blues and Alice.
Joaquín Cosío as Blasco Martine
Joaquín Cosío Osuna (born 6, 1962) is a Mexican actor and poet. He has been nominated four times for the Mexican Academy of Film Ariel Awards, winning the Ariel Award for Best Supporting Actor for his work as Gabriel in The Thin Yellow Line in 2016.
He is best known for roles such as Rubén “Mascarita” in Matando Cabos
Dolores Heredia as Anita
- Age: 57
- Occupation: Actress
- Born: Oct 6, 1996
- Movies: Northern Skies Over Empty Space (2022) by Sofía
- The Day of the Lord (2020): Marisa
- Chicuarotes (2019): Tonchi
- Sonora (2018), Doña Rosario
- Two Men in Town (2014), Teresa Flores
- Eddie Reynolds y los ángeles de acero (2014), Teresa
She is the seventh of ten children who grew up in La Paz, Baja California Sur. Her mother was a photographer from Sinaloa, Lusiana Kornal and her father was a seaman from Guanajuato. She studied drama at the National Autonomous University of Mexico.
Valorie Hubbard as Officer Kress
In 1995, Valorie worked on the world premiere of “Moon Under Miami” with John Guare. Valorie and her husband, Chef Gill Boyd, moved to Los Angeles in 2003. She holds a BFA from the Goodman School of Drama at DePaul University in Chicago. She also teaches acting in Los Angeles. Born March 25, 1962.
Tim Griffin as Officer Adams
- Born: 1968 (age 55 years), Charlotte, NC
- Office: Arkansas Attorney General since 2023
- Spouse: Elizabeth Griffin (m. 2005)
- Party: Republican Party
- Education: Tulane University, Hendrix College, US Army War College
- Previous offices: Lieutenant Governor of Arkansas (2015–2023), Representative, AR 2nd District (2011–2015)
- Descendants: John Griffin, Mary Katherine Griffin
John Timothy Griffin is an American lawyer and politician serving as the 57th attorney general of Arkansas. He previously served as the 20th lieutenant governor of Arkansas, from 2015 to 2023.
Chelsea Rendon as Ruthie
Born and raised in Montebello, California, actress Chelsea Rendon has been a working actress since the age of 7, after booking a leading role in the feature film “No Turning Back”, which went on to win multiple awards for her portrayal of Cristina.
A Better Life Movie Summary
Carlos Galindo is a gardener working with his partner in Los Angeles, California. His son, Louis, studied at secondary school. Louis used to spend more time with his Girlfriend. His girlfriend is associated with gang members. Gang members pressure him to join them. On one occasion, Luis is suspended for assaulting a student.
Carlos’ sister, Anita, loans $12,000 from the family’s backup stash for Carlos to purchase Blasco’s truck. The truck is later stolen by Santiago, whom Carlos hired. The following day, Carlos and Luis head towards the South Central apartment complex, used as lodgings for undocumented outsider workers. One man tells them both that Santiago works at a nightclub. Carlos and Luis head towards the restaurant, the restaurant would open during the night. Carlos notices Luis’s mom leaving them.
Luis mentions that he dislikes Mexican music and culture. After finding Santiago at the nightclub, Carlos and Luis interrogate him in the parking garage. They learn that the truck has been sold to the black market and the money is given to Santiago’s family in El Salvador. At the point when Santiago argues that it is not blameworthy, Carlos defends him and Luis angrily leaves them. The following day, Carlos convinces Luis to go with him to the black market garage, where the truck is.
They recover the truck however are taken by the police. Carlos is arrested in the United States as an undocumented immigrant. Luis visits the entertainment community with his dad. After promising Luis that he will return, Carlos boards the extradition ship and is sent back to Mexico.
Even though Luis’ companions are joining gangs, he dismisses that life and goes to live with his auntie’s loved ones. In time (the period isn’t given), Carlos returns wrongfully to the US to be with Luis, utilizing a coyote to direct him and different travelers through the desert, knowing that, as a returning deportee, he’ll have to deal with criminal penalties if he’s gotten.
A Better Life Movie Where To Watch
“A Better Life” is available for streaming on various platforms. However, availability may vary depending on your location and the agreements between streaming services. Here are some common platforms where you might find it:
- Amazon Prime Video
- Google Play Movies & TV
- YouTube Movies
- iTunes
- Apple TV
- Vudu
- Hulu (depending on your region)
FAQ’S
What happened to the dad in a better life?
Carlos is arrested and incarcerated in the United States as an undocumented immigrant. After promising Luis that he will return, Carlos boards the deportation bus and is sent back to Mexico.
Where does the father get the money for the truck in the Better Life movie?
After a night of pondering, he borrows the money from his sister and buys the truck. Carlos tells his son that things will soon be better – a better house, better school, etc.
Why did Santiago steal the truck in A Better Life Movie?
He sold it to get money to send back home to his family in El Salvador.
What is the theme of the movie A Better Life?
1. The central theme of “A Better Life“, those sorts of simple choices aren’t accessible to unlawful immigrants
2: OOne of the central themes of A BETTER LIFE Movie is that those kinds of easy options aren’t available to illegal immigrants
Where does Carlos work in Better Life?
Carlos is an undocumented Mexican immigrant who works as a gardener tending the lawns of Los Angeles residents who are rich, especially from his point of view.
What happens to Carlos at the end of A Better Life Movie?
The end of the movie shows Carlos being led back across by a coyote and being determined to go home.
Is the Better Life movie good?
A better life is a drama with good or positive references. The turning point is when the son decides to help his father and not be part of the gang.
What does the truck symbolize in the A Better Life movie?
The purchase of the truck is important because it could be the beginning of a better life for Luis and his father. The truck might symbolize ownership and success.
Who is the protagonist in the A Better Life movie?
The struggle in the movie is about a single dad, Carlos Galindo (masterfully played by actor Demian Bichir), who struggles to raise his son, Luis Galindo (Jose Julian), on a landscaper’s salary.
