A Better Life is a 2011 American drama film directed by Chris Weitz. The screenplay, originally known as The Gardener, was written by Eric Eason based on a story by Roger L. Simon. Star Demián Bichir was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Actor. Carlos Galindo works as a gardener with Blasco Martinez . Blasco wants to return to Mexico and continually tries to persuade Carlos to purchase his business from him, which includes the work truck and gardening tools. Carlos's son Luis is in high school and is dating Ruthie Valdez, the niece of a local gang leader. Luis regularly goes to... her house after school where gang members congregate. Luis is embarrassed by his father and, although he does not wish to follow in his footsteps, has a hard time committing himself to his education. However, his relationship with Ruthie and his friendship with Facundo pushes him toward becoming a gang member. Carlos asks his sister Anita for a loan to purchase Blasco's truck and tools. Anita lends Carlos $12,000, which comes out of her family's emergency fund. Carlos reluctantly accepts.
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| Release date: | June 24, 2011 |
| Directed by: | Chris Weitz |
| Rated: |  |
| Runtime: | 98 Minutes |
| Producer: | Paul Junger Witt, Jami Gertz, Stacey Lubliner, Chris Weitz, Christian McLaughlin |
| Editor: | Peter Lambert |
| Music by: | Alexandre Desplat |
| Cinematography: | Javier Aguirresarobe |
| Screenplay by: | Eric Eason |