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A Better Life

Year:

2011

Duration:

USA:98 min

Genres:

Drama

IMDB rate:

7.2

Director:

Chris Weitz

Awards:

Nominated for Oscar. Another 6 wins & 7 nominations

Details

Country: USA

Release Date: 2011-07-28

Filming Locations: Los Angeles, California, USA

Earnings

Budget: $10,000,000

Opening Weekend: $62,087 (USA) (26 June 2011)

Gross: $1,759,252 (USA) (1 September 2011)

Cast

Actor

Character

Magi Avila

Richard Cabral

Demian Bichir

Carlos Galindo

Eddie 'Piolin' Sotelo

Himself

Joaquín Cosio

Blasco Martinez

José Julián

Luis Galindo

Nancy Lenehan

Mrs. Donnely

Gabriel Chavarria

Ramon

Bobby Soto

Facundo

Chelsea Rendon

Ruthie Valdez

Trampas Thompson

School Security Officer

Tim Griffin

Juvie Officer

Valorie Hubbard

School Secretary

Dolores Heredia

Anita

Isabella Rae Thomas

Linda

Carlos Linares

Santiago

Robert Peters

Truck Driver

Bella Balajadia

Bella

Giselle Nieto

Gigi

Luis Colocio

Ruthie's Uncle (as Luis A. Colocio)

Ray Moreno

Ruthie's Uncle

Yelyna De Leon

Ruthie's Mother

Rolando Molina

Jesus

Taide Acosta

Young Woman

Joe Renteria

Bearded Man

Isidro Vallin

Payaso

Henry Ambriz

Mexican Singer

Miguel Alejandro Gaxiola

Voz de Mando Singer

Jorge Arturo Gaxiola

Voz de Mando Singer

Robert Renderos

Busboy

Charles Currier

Auto Mart Security Guard

Marlon Correa

Prison Guard

Adrian Mojica

Police Officer

Todd Felix

Gabe Wettenal

Eddie Martinez

Rey

Jason Medwin

ICE Officer

Tom Schanley

ICE Officer

Abraham Chaidez

Coyote

Lian Castillo

Student

Darell M. Davie

Prisoner

Maynor Lopez

Gardener

Ruben Avitia

ICE Officer (uncredited)

Rico Devereaux

Bouncer (uncredited)

Patrizia Medrano

Dancer in Nightclub (uncredited)

George Paez

Nicaraguan (uncredited)

Abraham Rubio

Club Bouncer (uncredited)

Tatiana Sarasty

Young Woman (uncredited)

Did you know?

Trivia

Bichir was nominated for Best Actor for the 2012 Oscars.

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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 Demian 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".

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Goofs

When Carlos is chasing his stolen truck, he has his climbing belt in his hand. When he gives up and walks away, his hands are empty.

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At 21:10, the size and shape of the bread that Santiago is giving to Carlos Galindo is different from different angles.

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Quotes

Carlos Galindo: I worry about you all the time.

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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.

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Carlos Galindo: You are more important to me than anything in the world.

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Faq

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

This film has been compared to the Italian film The Bicycle Thief (1948) in which a father and his son are searching for a stolen bicycle, which is desperately needed for his work. In 'A Better Life', a father and son are on a similar quest.

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