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IMDbPro

A Better Life

  • 20112011
  • PG-13PG-13
  • 1h 38m
IMDb RATING
7.2/10
16K
YOUR RATING
A Better Life (2011)
A gardener in East L.A. struggles to keep his son away from gangs and immigration agents while traveling across town to perform landscaping work for the city's wealthy landowners.
Play trailer2:16
1 Video
50 Photos
  • Drama
  • Romance
A gardener in East L.A. struggles to keep his son away from gangs and immigration agents while trying to give his son the opportunities he never had.A gardener in East L.A. struggles to keep his son away from gangs and immigration agents while trying to give his son the opportunities he never had.A gardener in East L.A. struggles to keep his son away from gangs and immigration agents while trying to give his son the opportunities he never had.
IMDb RATING
7.2/10
16K
YOUR RATING
  • Director
    • Chris Weitz
  • Writers
    • Eric Eason(screenplay)
    • Roger L. Simon(story)
  • Stars
    • Demián Bichir
    • José Julián
    • Eddie 'Piolin' Sotelo
Top credits
  • Director
    • Chris Weitz
  • Writers
    • Eric Eason(screenplay)
    • Roger L. Simon(story)
  • Stars
    • Demián Bichir
    • José Julián
    • Eddie 'Piolin' Sotelo
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 93User reviews
    • 90Critic reviews
    • 64Metascore
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Nominated for 1 Oscar
      • 5 wins & 10 nominations total

    Videos1

    A Better Life
    Trailer 2:16
    A Better Life

    Photos50

    Chelsea Rendon and Bobby Soto in A Better Life (2011)
    Demián Bichir in A Better Life (2011)
    Demián Bichir and José Julián in A Better Life (2011)
    Demián Bichir in A Better Life (2011)
    Demián Bichir in A Better Life (2011)
    Demián Bichir in A Better Life (2011)
    Demián Bichir in A Better Life (2011)
    Demián Bichir and José Julián in A Better Life (2011)
    Demián Bichir in A Better Life (2011)
    Demián Bichir and José Julián in A Better Life (2011)
    Demián Bichir, Chris Weitz, and José Julián in A Better Life (2011)
    Demián Bichir and José Julián in A Better Life (2011)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Demián Bichir
    Demián Bichir
    • Carlos Galindoas Carlos Galindo
    • (as Demian Bichir)
    José Julián
    José Julián
    • Luis Galindoas Luis Galindo
    Eddie 'Piolin' Sotelo
    Eddie 'Piolin' Sotelo
    • Eddie 'Piolin' Soteloas Eddie 'Piolin' Sotelo
    Joaquín Cosio
    Joaquín Cosio
    • Blasco Martinezas Blasco Martinez
    Nancy Lenehan
    Nancy Lenehan
    • Mrs. Donnelleyas Mrs. Donnelley
    Gabriel Chavarria
    Gabriel Chavarria
    • Ramonas Ramon
    Bobby Soto
    Bobby Soto
    • Facundoas Facundo
    Chelsea Rendon
    Chelsea Rendon
    • Ruthie Valdezas Ruthie Valdez
    Trampas Thompson
    Trampas Thompson
    • School Security Officeras School Security Officer
    Tim Griffin
    Tim Griffin
    • Juvie Officeras Juvie Officer
    Valorie Hubbard
    Valorie Hubbard
    • School Secretaryas School Secretary
    Dolores Heredia
    Dolores Heredia
    • Anitaas Anita
    Isabella Rae Thomas
    Isabella Rae Thomas
    • Lindaas Linda
    Carlos Linares
    Carlos Linares
    • Santiagoas Santiago
    Robert Peters
    Robert Peters
    • Truck Driveras Truck Driver
    Richard Cabral
    Richard Cabral
    • Marcelo Valdezas Marcelo Valdez
    Bella Balajadia
    • Bellaas Bella
    • (as Isabella Balajadia)
    Giselle Nieto
    • Gigias Gigi
    • Director
      • Chris Weitz
    • Writers
      • Eric Eason(screenplay)
      • Roger L. Simon(story)
    • All cast & crew
    • See more cast details at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Director Chris Weitz liked to do all the dangerous scenes in the script before he asked his cast to perform them. A stunt double taught Weitz and Demián Bichir how to climb a palm tree, and although Weitz was first to successfully climb one, Bichir did go on to film all the scenes himself, without a stunt double. Weitz told the audience at a SAG Screening: "That is why in my films there are not many scenes that require stunt doubles".
    • Goofs
      At 21:10, the size and shape of the bread that Santiago is giving to Carlos Galindo is different from different angles.
    • Quotes

      Carlos Galindo: This country is a land of dreams. It can be a hard place, a cruel place. But it's where I work, and I dream of a better place for my son.

    • Connections
      Featured in Ebert Presents: At the Movies: Episode #1.23 (2011)
    • Soundtracks
      Rolex
      Written by Thaka Dillo and Cx Kidtronik (as Christopher Davis)
      Performed by Cx Kidtronik (as CX Kidtronik) and Tchaka Diallo
      Courtesy of Tchaka Diallo

    User reviews93

    Review
    Top review
    8/10
    Great Film
    the film "A Better Life" is one of the best films I seen this year and one of the favorites of all time. The film "A Better Life" is such a touching film and it will touch you if you have had a hard time just make it day to day in life. This film is about people who work hard everyday and at the end of the day they can never get ahead.This film will teach others who take their life's for granted, not to take their life's for grant because there are people in this world that want the simple things in life like parents that just want to spend time with their kids and they cannot because they have to work or do other thing.The film "A Better Life is about the people and for the people. I highly recommend this movie to others.
    helpful•34
    4
    • dwejbe
    • Dec 16, 2011

    FAQ1

    • What film has 'A Better Life' been compared to?

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • July 28, 2011 (Thailand)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Official site
      • Official Facebook
    • Languages
      • English
      • Spanish
    • Also known as
      • The Gardener
    • Filming locations
      • Wattles Mansion - 1824 N. Curson Avenue, Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, USA
    • Production companies
      • Summit Entertainment
      • Lime Orchard Productions
      • Witt/Thomas Productions
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • $10,000,000 (estimated)
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $1,759,252
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $62,087
      • Jun 26, 2011
    • Gross worldwide
      • $1,863,506
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 38 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Dolby Digital
      • DTS
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.85 : 1

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