Bella

Plot synopsis:
Bella tells the story of Nina, a New York City waitress, and her co-worker José, a cook.
The kitchen of a Mexican restaurant in Manhattan is getting ready for the noon rush. Nina arrives late for the second day in a row. Manny, the restaurant owner and Jose's brother, fires her.
As Nina leaves, José follows her outside. She tells him she is pregnant but says she is not ready for a baby and is seriously considering abortion. He takes her to his parents' house and introduces her to his family. He then takes her into the garage and shows her his old car and also tells her that a few years ago he had been driving his car when he accidentally hit and killed a little girl. He was sentenced to four years in prison. After being released, he tried unsuccessfully multiple times to get in touch with the girl's mother.
José and Nina have dinner at his parents' house during which Nina finds out that Manny was adopted. José's parents tell Nina she is always welcome to stay at their house. José takes Nina to the beach, which is near the house. Nina tells José of how her father's death when she was twelve caused her and her mother severe emotional pain. Since Nina had no siblings and spent her childhood taking care of her emotionally crippled mother, she tells José how fortunate he is to have a loving family. The next day, before they each go their own way, Nina says she needs a friend to be there for her the next week.
José walks back to the restaurant and reconciles with Manny.
Several years later, José is playing on a beach with a young girl, Bella, Nina's daughter and José's adopted daughter. Nina pulls up in a taxi and meets Bella for the first time. The two exchange gifts. The movie ends as Nina, Bella, and José walk down the beach together.

Tags: cute, romantic, flashback

Review:
Executive Producer Steven McEveety (Braveheart, We Were Soldiers, Passion of the Christ) has put his efforts behind another sure winner, (this one without Mel Gibson)and with newcomer director/writer Alejandro Gomez Monteverde, and a cast of relatively unknown actors.This is an intelligent and emotional film, with the action interwoven between flashbacks and the developing plot line.
Because of this storytelling method, it is nearly impossible to give much detail of the story without a spoiler.The movie centers around Nina, a young, unmarried waitress at a Mexican restaurant who finds herself pregnant and out of a job after coming in late to work several days because of morning sickness.
In the process, he bears secrets from his own mysterious past, which reveal his tenderness and passion for her and the child she is carrying.The film stars Eduardo Verastegui (the Mexican Brad Pitt), and Tammy Blanchard, each performing in only in their second movie role.
No wonder this rookie work shocked all the big name pictures to win the top prize at Toronto Film Festival.Latest word is that it is set for release in April 2007.
I went to the Toronto Film Festival and was looking forward to seeing J-lo's new flick as well as Brad Pitts and Sean Penn's new films as I heard one of those were probably going to win the Oscar bound Peoples choice award at the festival.I screened this unknown movie Bella in Toronto at the Film Festival because I was given a ticket to see it.
After seeing the film and participating in a standing ovation with everyone else who saw it and being almost as moved by the touching Q and A afterwards I remember leaving that theater thinking that in a just world that film and those producers would walk away with every award...when I found out that it actually did...that it beat all those other films and that it is now on Oscar's radar I actually felt good about the world in general and the movie industry in particular..
I had the privilege of seeing "Bella" at the Toronto Film Festival and was amazed by this beautiful love story!
Actually, i think it is best to see this film without knowing anything about the story.
A lot of people were surprised when Bella took the top prize at Toronto except for me and the other people who saw the film.
Every character lets their humanity show in a way that causes the audience to fall in love with them throughout the course of the movie.
Both the story and the characters are realistic and every scene of the movie is packed with truth.
BELLA is a poignant portrayal of love-conquers-all that runs the gamut from spellbinding to uplifting with a firm but gentle hand as the writer tells a tale of fallen dreams that breathes life into a dying world where family, faith, and friends are re-discovered and claimed as the "ties that bind." The captivating cast as well as the crew embody the very essence of family life among the Latino community yet the writing is so cleverly crafted that it transcends the tumult and transition of recovering from shattered spirits in any family of any ethnic background.
The photography -- shot in and around the streets of Manhattan and Long Island -- is top notch, reminding me of James Crabe's amazing cinematography along the streets of Philadelphia in Rocky (1977)....and the editing, relying heavily on jump cuts, keeps the story moving along in multiple time frames to great effect.The actors all shine in their roles, particularly Mexican superstar Eduardo Verástegui and Tammy Blanchard, who portray their particularly complex relationship -- between a cook and a waitress in a Mexican restaurant -- with finesse.
I had the privilege of attending one of the private screenings of BELLA in Hollywood, Califronia...when the film ended I left the theater with a light feeling in my heart almost felt like I was on a cloud thinking "What a beautiful, clean message of acceptance and unconditional love"....BELLA "is" a labor of love and I'm proud to be a Latina just like the production company METANOIA FILMS which produced this amazing film....I am certain audiences worldwide will enjoy this film as much as I did, since it contains no violence, sex or profanity...what a breath of fresh air it is to watch a film like BELLA...I will watch it again and again, only next time I will take family and friends with me....what a treat!!!!!!
The plot is also captivating and the audience is left falling in love with not only the characters, but their story too.
It is no surprise this movie won the "People's Choice" award at the Toronto International Film Festival and it will be no surprise if there is definite Oscar Buzz surrounding this wonderful film.
it puts people first in a world where we always put working, doing our "own thing" first; an exceptional movie with a great message ...
I thought it was a great movie about living life joyfully (even when events occur that change OUR plans ...
often something better comes out at the end -- especially when we stop pouting~!).Go see this movie -- take the family, the neighbors, etc -- it really is a great one for all to see.
I had the privilege of catching a sneak-peak of Bella before it won the Tronto Film Festival, followed by a Q&A with the director and some of the cast members.
Coming home after viewing the film in Toronto, I was left contemplating the movie and the subtle messages throughout.
I recommend this move to people of all walks of life- It was a great film!.
The fact that this movie even got made in the first place by a bunch of ambitious first-timers with nothing but passion, exuberance, hard-work and talent is an amazing story in itself.
Some might not see this movie as an intricate "love story" as it is far from your traditional Hollywood "love story" (no sex, no physical suggestions) but the on-screen love that you see developing between the two main characters (and ultimately the third) is something that is profound - and so refreshing to see!
In a sense it gets back to the roots of story telling - all you need is a solid script, a visionary director, and a budget and crew to make it happen, and you can have Hollywood gold.Alejandro Monteverde may be a new face on the directorial scene but he is someone who is well on his way to making a lasting impact in Hollywood and you will hear his name for years to come.
It is very possible to imagine this story happening 100s of times in any culture and any community in the United States.This movie is a gift to give yourself and your family..
While the scope of this film is not epic, the connection made between audience and story is so wondrously encouraged that one leaves the theater with more to ponder than the money spent on popcorn.It is indeed beautiful.
In the end, however, they dig deep and find something greater beyond their own subjective reasoning.The film unfolds as an intimate tale among colorful characters, but ultimately finds grounding with a more universal theme due to the poignant story and compelling performances.
I thought this was a surprisingly-good "chick flick" until the final 15 minutes when it got ultra-weeping "Lifetime Network" on us, but overall is a film which should appeal to a lot of people.
As the day goes on, the two work out past traumas with the ending being a tear-jerker feel-good one.For a film in which most viewers probably aren't familiar with the director or the actors, it is impressive.
Five years later, Jose is the chef of the restaurant of his step-brother Manny (Manny Perez); when his friend and waitress Nina (Tammy Blanchard) is fired by Manny for being late for the third time in the week, Jose follows her to comfort her and finds that she is pregnant and decided to abort the pregnancy.
Jose invites Nina to spend the day with his family in their house nearby the beach and he retrieves his lost passion with a second chance in life."Bella" is a movie with a simple and touching story, supported by a great non-linear screenplay and magnificent direction and performances.
The story of second chance in life is very realistic and never corny, and the surprising conclusion is certainly the best and most beautiful moment of this excellent movie.
And I mean beautiful in so many ways, including the filming, the acting, and even the love and affection in the Hispanic home.
What astounds me is that there a enough cretins that watch movies to bring the rating down on this film to a mere 7.5.
I wouldn't say this is a perfect film, but considering the time they had to shoot the movie (23 days), it had some scenes that kept my interest, and I found certain scenes to be genuinely funny!
I sometimes found the editing style of the film confusing, but that may be changed by the time the movie is actually released.
So anyway, go out and see this film, it's a good first start, and hopefully more of these types of movies will follow after!.
I was told that the version we saw is the one that won the Toronto film festival, and the final cut is even better.The basic story is about the lives of two people who work in a Mexican restaurant.
This is not your typical contrived emotional chick-flick drama, but a drama that anyone can relate to regarding terrible tragedies, and how it is with the love of other people that we are able to recover from our tragedies and love once again!Also, the depth of the characters in the movie is awesome.
The biggest reason this movie is so enjoyable is that it is told with a lot of heart which is rare to find in even Indy films nowadays.
The story has some really interesting and believable characters brought to life by some very solid acting.
It is not a predictable movie, this is a different kind of love story.
Any reviews prior to this date (including this one) are from people who saw it at a film festival or at a pre-screening like I did.
Make no mistake; this is a Catholic-inspired movie with an unabashed pro-life message.In the beginning, a very hirsute Jose, looking very much like my conception of Jesus Christ (I actually found this rather distracting and Eduardo Verastegui looks nothing at all like he does in the main promotional poster), is working as a chef in his brother's Mexican restaurant in New York City.
Alright, so I see how people flocked to this movie that gives audiences a sort of "feel good" emotion when leaving the theater and I appreciate what was meant to be said.
The actors in the film seem to have no real emotion toward one another, and the plot doesn't ever really get going till the end.
Everyone can find something to love in this movie whether it is the great story, artistic photography, or the hunky star..
This award-winning film is the best to come out in a VERY long time in terms of the cinematography, acting, and message.
Very few of the relationships in the film come off as believable- the fact that we are watching a scripted drama rather than real life is ever present.This is a film about good people making good choices- it's just not close enough to any form of reality to take seriously and get involved with..
Filmed entirely on location in New York City, "Bella" gives us a window into the lives of a handful of characters whom we come to care about deeply.Through short, intimate snippets of footage, we are introduced to Jose, a solemn, bearded man with intense blue eyes who works as chef in his brother Manny's upscale restaurant; and to Nina, a waitress at the restaurant who finds out she is pregnant, and then loses her job when she shows up late for work once too often as she battles morning sickness.
The film's surprise ending will mist the eyes of the most jaded viewer.The performances in "Bella" are astonishingly powerful.
Bella, is one of the most beautiful and unforgettable movies I've ever watched.
However, you can feel other characters' stories that make the movie even much much better; they really help the audience understand the great and meaningful philosophy that the movie is trying to deliver.
Bella is a life changing movie..
Bella is an inspirational movie about life!.
This film takes viewers on a journey with several wonderful characters who just like the rest of us have setbacks and struggles in life, but as the movie unfolds they end up being a beautiful and powerful inspiration for each other.
Great Film - Real Story.
You don't find many films where you feel like you are watching people live their lives rather than actors speaking memorised lines.
That's what I felt with Bella.I loved the fact that this is a movie from a new production company and enlisted a bunch of actors that aren't chased by papparazzi and on covers of glossy magazine covers.I think people who didn't like this film either can't handle movies that aren't blockbuster, Jerry Bruckheimer typical style films with overused CGI tricks, because it's more art-house than Hollywood or that it's got a supposed Pro-Life Message.
How disappointing it was to watch a film that tried hard too hard, a fell too short.Yes, there is some good acting, but it falls flat due to the fact that there isn't a compelling story.
The film is well acted, and the extent to which these men have gone to make this movie happen amidst the culture of death that dominates our world, and especially our 'entertainment' is an inspiration.
Bella - indeed a beautiful film.
We need more films like this one, showing a realistic glimpse of life of ordinary people and their struggles.
The acting was superb, the photography was beautiful, and the story line was woven together in a way that drew you right into these peoples' lives.
BELLA won the People's Choice Award at the Toronto Film Festival in 2006.
If there were more films like this one out there I would be more inclined to go to the movies.
I was also able to meet the star and producer of the film and I realize why the movie is so great.
Of course the fact that such a well done movie contains a character like that is what is so great about it.
The movie's story line is very real and a person can connect with the character's.
Hell, had it been screened at the Hallmark Channel it would've been one of its better efforts."Bella"'s true power lies on Eduardo Verastegui's faith on the film which has been shown on how he promotes it, mainly by telling his own life affirming story as he starved searching for more 'moral' roles in films.Other than that, there's not much about the film.
The story is real and beautiful, really moves and encouraged to enjoy the simple things in life.
I would like to see what happens after they get back together at the end, but I would hope the story would remain as beautiful.
Bella is one of those quirky little films that seems to have a hard time finding it's audience, but when it does, magic happens.
It is a simple story, with simple, filming, with virtually unknown actors, but makes a bigger impact than any other big budget movie I've seen..
After viewing the film last night with friends, I have to say that Bella is one of the best movie I've seen in a long time.
The best thing about Bella is its profound and uplifting message of life and true love.
Character development, acting, and cinematography are just some of the ways that the talented makers shine through this film.
I never see movies at the theater more than once because they are just too darn expensive, but I would love to see Bella again.
Wonderful movie - beautifully unfolding a story of love and redemption..
It's actually hard to write a review without some kind of spoiler, but let me just say this movie makes you feel good about life and appreciate what you have.
i was just blown away by how this film depicts the struggle of a young woman contemplating aborting her baby only to find a man who loves her beyond what she can understand.you've got to see it!this movie will change your life and how you view life.
I was touched by the characters in the movie who were very realistic of the troubles that life brings.
I am here to say that this movie is the film of the year.
I also liked the way the movie leaves you guessing as to what exactly is happening, allowing you to be a thinking participant in the process.Even my 15 year old daughter loved the film.
I felt that I got to know the characters through the course of the film -- they are people you care about and want to know what is going to happen to them, where they will go and what they will say.
It has been too long since a movie like Bella has been released here in the US.
What results is a story about life, love and the special people we can encounter along the way.The acting was beautiful.
Both Eduardo Verastegui (Jose) and especially Tammy Blanchard (Nina) give outstanding performances.The cinematography gave the movie a unique but wonderful presentation.Although this movie has a few minor flaws, the story and performances well make up for what might have been lacking.I've seen the film twice and I may just go and see it again...