Bichir in the big league now
There’s a beautiful moment in A Better Life, where the teenager Luis goes to meet his father, Carlos (played by Demian Bichir) in prison. The two have almost never seen eye to eye, the former averse to embracing his Mexican roots, the latter wanting nothing more than to give his son “a better life”. But here they seem wistful of never having been able to communicate before, and the affection is all too palpable. They make a promise to each other. And you’ll know they’ll keep it too.
A Better Life is a largely grim film about the uphill life of an immigrant wanting to lead a comfortable life in the US. A series of events lead to much heartbreak and angst for Carlos, but he never gives up, mainly for the sake of his motherless son. When things hit rock-bottom, though, the relationship between the two emerges stronger than ever, the film ending on a hopeful note that leaves you optimistic and with a smile on your face.
For Chris Weitz, who has directed films as diverse as American Pie (with his brother), The Golden Compass and The Twilight Saga: New Moon (both individually), A Better Life is clearly a coming-of-age. The film has gravitas, and the filmmaker has extracted some great performances from the cast. The best among them, of course, is Bichir as the doting and disciplinarian father, and he deservingly earns a Best Actor nomination. Even though chances of him winning are almost nil, the actor must be glad to have been recognised by the Academy and placed among some of 2011’s best performers. From here on, surely, the Mexican actor can expect to lead a better life in Hollywood.
There’s a beautiful moment in A Better Life, where the teenager Luis goes to meet his father, Carlos (played by Demian Bichir) in prison. The two have almost never seen eye to eye, the former averse to embracing his Mexican roots, the latter wanting nothing more than to give his son “a better life”. But here they seem wistful of never having been able to communicate before, and the affection is all too palpable. They make a promise to each other. And you’ll know they’ll keep it too.
A Better Life is a largely grim film about the uphill life of an immigrant wanting to lead a comfortable life in the US. A series of events lead to much heartbreak and angst for Carlos, but he never gives up, mainly for the sake of his motherless son. When things hit rock-bottom, though, the relationship between the two emerges stronger than ever, the film ending on a hopeful note that leaves you optimistic and with a smile on your face.
For Chris Weitz, who has directed films as diverse as American Pie (with his brother), The Golden Compass and The Twilight Saga: New Moon (both individually), A Better Life is clearly a coming-of-age. The film has gravitas, and the filmmaker has extracted some great performances from the cast. The best among them, of course, is Bichir as the doting and disciplinarian father, and he deservingly earns a Best Actor nomination. Even though chances of him winning are almost nil, the actor must be glad to have been recognised by the Academy and placed among some of 2011’s best performers. From here on, surely, the Mexican actor can expect to lead a better life in Hollywood.
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