What Constitutes a Better Life?
For some people a better life means living somewhere that has opportunities. In Latin American countries people are starving, are afraid of the violence taking place in the streets and the political instability. Having to Flee to the US for a chance at a better life inspired by the “American Dream” is worth the struggle.
In the movie “A Better Life” you see a Dad named “Carlos” struggling with his teenage son named “Luis” who is a high school student. Carlos is a gardener who works hard to provide for his son by living in a small shack house in Los Angeles where the surrounding neighborhood is known for gang activity. Luis is embarrassed by his father and, although he does not wish to follow in his footsteps, he has a hard time committing himself to his education. He happens to be in a relationship with Ruthie who is the niece of a local gang leader and Luis’s friend Facundo pushes him toward becoming a gang member. Carlos asks his sister Anita for a loan to purchase Blasco’s gardening truck and tools because Blasco wants to return to Mexico. Anita lends Carlos $12,000, which comes from her family’s emergency fund. Carlos takes over the gardening business and, returns to the corner where he used to look for work hiring Santiago, who shared his lunch with him one day when he had none. On the first day working with Santiago he steals Carlos’s truck. Telling Luis about Santiago stealing the truck, they find out where he is working to get the truck back. Santiago, moonlights as a dishwasher at a nightclub and it is closed, so they head to a nearby rodeo to wait. At the rodeo, Carlos and Luis talk about Luis’s feelings toward his culture and his family. Luis is bitter about his mother abandoning them and tells his Dad, that he hates Mexican music and the traditions. Going back to the nightclub to look for Santiago, he tries to run away but Luis, is waiting outside and tackles him to the ground where he beats him to a pulp. They discover that Santiago has sold the truck and sent the money back to his family in El Salvador. Luis feeling betrayed by his father for defending the man who stole their opportunity for improving their lives, runs away. The next day Carlos goes looking for Luis and finds him at Facundo’s house where the two friends argue and, Luis decides to stand by his father. Finding the garage where Santiago sold the truck, they steal it back but on their way home, they are pulled over by the police. Carlos is arrested and incarcerated as an illegal immigrant and is quickly processed to be deported back to Mexico. Luis gets to the prison just before Carlos is about to board the bus and the guards allow him to visit with Luis. Carlos apologizes to Luis for not being there for him and Luis tells him he should not be sorry. Carlos makes Luis promise him that he will continue with his studies and Luis makes Carlos promise him that he will return. At the end of the movie Luis is playing soccer while his Aunt and two cousin watch on and Carlos is in the desert with other immigrants including a coyote getting ready to head to the other side when Carlos says, “Vamos a casa” “Let’s go home”.
What does that mean? What is home? Home too many of us is where you live or what is familiar to you or where your family is. Home to me is where your heart is, it doesn’t matter where you are. This movie painted a picture of an undocumented Dad living in the US with a child that was a US citizen. Being Hispanic American can be hard on a kid growing up and not knowing where you fit in. A memorable quote “Carlos Galindo: This country is a land of dreams. It can be a hard place. A cruel place.” Hollywood glamorizes lives and makes the youth generation think that life is easy and acting a certain way can mislead you down the wrong path. I’m glad that at the end of this movie it shows the son keeping his promise to his Dad while playing soccer, something they loved to do together. “Carlos Galindo: Each day I work. I dream of a better place for my son.” Spoken like many parents.
I read your blog and I was intrigued and I just had to see the trailer. Sounds and looks interesting and will be on my “to watch list.” This film seems like a good movie to watch with my children I think this film will serve as a reminder to always appreciate what they have; whether it may be grand or very little, never take it for granted. From reading your blog this movie touches many aspects such as: family value, self-worth, and perseverance.
This was really a great movie especially to watch with your kids. It will help them to have a better understanding of what being undocumented means and how they are trying to survive to just fit in and survive. Wanting to have a piece of the American dream for their children so that they can have more opportunities is what any parent would want.
I agree the American dream is for a better life for not only ourselves but for our children. To save them from either the war torn country, poverty stricken country or in America an easier and better life through education. Carlos wanted an education for his son Luis. Carlos’ home and as you stated his heart was with Luis.