12/19/07 –
Last month at the recommendation of several of our friends, Beth and I were able to catch a showing of Bella. Since the film is distributed by a smaller production company, there is a good chance that you haven’t heard of this one. If this is the case, let me tell you that you are missing out on one of the best movies I have seen in a long time.Set in New York city, the film focuses on Nina and José, two restaurant co-workers, during one twenty-four hour period. The plot is rather simple as the movie opens with Nina losing her job and having just discovered she is pregnant. From there the story moves on with José’s pursuit of Nina out of a sincere concern for her well-being. Along the way, José must confront his past and Nina must confront her future while both characters must deal with the choices they must make in the present.
This simple story is the canvas on which the filmmaker, Alejandro Monteverde, paints a moving portrait of life marked by its poignancy and authenticity. Rather than dazzling his audience with special effects or dramatic plot twists, Monteverde draws his audience in with scenes that capture life as it really is.
As they walk through the city, there is a blind man who stops Nina to ask her to describe the street where he sits. Nina is surprised by his kindness as she describes the blue sky and the people across the street. The man rewards her description with a rose, and I dare to hope that there is hope for Nina and her plight. Later, at José’s parent’s home, we’re treated to a beautiful glimpse inside a Mexican-American family who effortlessly shows a strong love and commitment to one another.
It is details like these along with the realism of the movie’s plot which make Bella an excellent character-driven work of art. By the time the film was over, I wished that I had more tears of joy to shed for the movie’s message of redemption and hope amidst less than perfect circumstances.
If you’re interested in seeing this film, I would recommend looking for it at your local “art house” theater, or see it when it is released on DVD (Beth and I will probably buy this one when it comes out).
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This was a wonderful movie about friendship, and redemption and choices. The choices we are faced with and what we do with them. It will definitely be an addition to my collection when it comes available on DVD.