Essay on Illegal Immigrants and the Movie a Better Life

A Better Life Response Paper A Better Life is the story of Carlos and his son Luis and Carlos attempt to provide his son a better life than what he has been given through hard work and hopefully some good fortune. This paper will look to summarize the movie through a perspective of the two main characters growth throughout the movie, as well as talk about some of the overriding themes of the movie and American culture relating to illegal aliens. The themes discussed will be stereotypes of â€Å"illegals,† the poor quality of life, and the injustice these people live every day. The movie starts with Carlos working and trying to grind out enough money to help him and Carlos, his somewhat troubled but still sensible high school aged son. Luis†¦show more content†¦When they finally reach the place where the truck was sold to it is night and for the first time we see Carlos willing to do something that is not right. He determines that he is going to steal the truck back. H e is successful, but puts himself and his son at risk of death. When they get away their joy is short lived though. Carlos is pulled over and does not have a drivers license. He is sent to ICE for deportation. He is asked if he wants to appeal it but is warned that only 3% of people who apply are awarded the right back into the country. He determines it would be better if he just went back to Mexico. This means he is without his son. He gets a calling card and leaves a message to see Luis before and they get to spend a few minutes together, but in the end Carlos is sent into the desert to find his way back to Mexico and Luis is left alone. Summarizing the movie you see Carlos is a man of high integrity and is willing to do everything the hard way to help him and his son survive and hopefully be able to achieve the American Dream. He repays everyone who helps him and returns favors for a man who ends up costing him his chance to a better life, but he is a man of conscience. We see Ca rlos stoop from his values one time and it costs him his chance. As a viewer, it is tough to watch him steal that truck because you know all is not going to end well. You become disappointed with him because you expect him to be a man of such high character andShow MoreRelatedAnalysis Of A Better Life1213 Words   |  5 PagesSummary The movie A Better Life directed by Chris Weitz is the story of a troubled family who is trying to overcome the cultural barriers that have been thrown in their direction. A father named Carlos is trying to earn a living in order to provide his son Luis a better life than he has endured. The family moved from Mexico to California when Luis was a small baby. The audience learns throughout the movie that Luis’ mother left shortly after the move because she found bigger and better things. 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