Bella
by Alejandro Monteverde
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DVD Cover Information
Actor: Ali Landry, Angélica Aragón, Eduardo Verástegui, Manny Perez, Tammy BlanchardDirector: Alejandro Monteverde
Brand: Lions Gate
Cinematographer: Andrew Cadelago
Composer: Stephan Altman
DVD: Region Code 1
Audio: English (Unknown); English (Subtitled); Spanish (Subtitled); English (Original Language); Spanish (Dubbed)
Format: AC-3, Closed-captioned, Color, Dolby, Dubbed, DVD, NTSC, Subtitled, Widescreen
Picture Format: 1.85:1
Running Time: 91 minutes
Published: 2008-05-01
DVD Release Date: 2008-05-06
Audience Rating: PG-13 (Parental Guidance Suggested)
Studio: Lions Gate
Movie Reviews of Bella
Movie Review: See this film...
Summary: 5 Stars
Don't be too surprised if your eyes start welling up when you watch this film. This is BELLA, heartfelt and searing and powerful. It hits deep. It tells the story of two wounded people, strangers to each other, who happen to spend time together for the span of one day and whose lives are consequently altered.
BELLA strikes a chord early on, from the moment we see this bearded, introspective man sitting on the beach. His name is Jose (Eduardo Verastegui) and, five years ago, he was on the brink of a promising soccer career - before the tragedy, which torments him to this very day. Today, soccer forever behind him, Jose toils in New York as a chef in his brother's Latin restaurant. Nina (Tammy Blanchard) also works there, as a waitress. But, lately, Nina has been sick or late to work. Today, she finds out she's pregnant. Shortly after, she gets fired. Jose, who barely knows her, feels concern and follows her to offer a measure of comfort. For the rest of the day, they end up hanging out and talking and just living life.
It's a simple story, but so evocatively told. The cast is never less than perfect, with the two leads Verastegui and Blanchard breaking out with very emotional, terrifically sympathetic performances and with their pitch-perfect chemistry. These two exemplify the fragility in us, the pain and the loss, the hope and the seeking of second chances. And, how, sometimes, all it takes to get back on track is a supportive word or a kind ear or a helping hand from a stranger. I had never heard of this movie, and I definitely wasn't prepared for the impact it had on me. I couldn't tear my eyes away. BELLA is beautiful, these characters are beautiful - even Manny, the guy we all start out detesting; even he ends up in our good graces.
BELLA is tragic, but it's also ultimately uplifting. Certainly there's a love of family strongly seen and felt on screen, and the world would be a better place if everyone had a wonderful family like Jose's. So, definitely, it's a love story. But it's not a romance. Nina and Jose, in opening up to each other, become close in a short amount of time, but their relationship seems to be a platonic one, more of a deep friendship. In a way, this makes the story even more affecting and compelling, with the absence of the romantic crutch. And, in that light, what Jose does near the end of the film seems even more generous and, yes, loving.
This is an underdog film in every way. It's independent cinema, the director, writers, and producers are a bunch of nobodies, and the actors are little known. But this picture brims over with heart and soul; and it's palpable, the care and commitment and pure faith invested by these folks who lovingly made the film. BELLA tells of a day in the life, and how life starts all over again after one single day. BELLA begins with a kind gesture and it ends in redemption. What happens in between is a kind of magic found when two people unexpectedly connect. This movie deserves to be seen. Don't be surprised if you start welling up.
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