Go See "Bella" This Weekend

My wife and I rarely make it out to the movies anymore, even though it is one of my favorite past times. But this weekend we are planning to see "Bella" by Mexican director Alejandro Monteverde, which won the "People's Choice" award at the Toronto Film Festival.

I've been hearing buzz about this film in the religious and conservative media - about the quality of the film and the resistance it has met from traditional distribution channels because "The drama in Bella centers largely on the crisis of a young waitress named Nina (Tammy Blanchard) who has just discovered that she is pregnant, and begins making plans for an abortion. Verástegui plays a chef named José who carries a burden from his own past, and who spends the day with Nina as she agonizes over her options."

Here's how an acquaintance of mine who saw "Bella" on Tuesday characterized the film:

Yesterday, in response to urgings from various local Catholic and other religious organizations, we attending the newly released movie "Bella." Having also read negative reviews in the secular press, I wasn't sure what to expect. I secretly wondered if it might be a preachy anti-abortion movie with not much pizzazz.

Boy, was I wrong!! What we saw was an absolutely delightful story of every day people confronting life's joys and challenges in a way that tugged at my heart strings. The cast and the cinematography were wonderful. The audience left the theater completely uplifted. I normally don't plug much other than the Ducks in the Stanley Cup finals, but "Bella" is movie I'll probably see again and buy when the DVD is released. I'm sure you'll find it a great way to spend 91 minutes.

As an aside note: outside the theater in Brea, at a card table, sat some Brea Knights of Columbus. When I asked what they were doing there, I was blown away. Since there is apparently some commercial resistance to "Bella", it has only opened in a few theaters. What this local K of C Council did was guarantee that it did show in Brea. They put their money where their mouth is by pre-paying the theater thousands of dollars from their Council's funds and then sold vouchers for tickets to try to recover their costs. In other words, they felt strongly enough about having this piece of excellent entertainment available that they were willing to gamble on its success. The good news is that they did, indeed, sell enough pre-sale tickets for their K of C Council to come out whole. My hat is off to some real stand-up guys.

"Bella" it is showing at several locations in Orange County. It is playing on more screens this coming weekend than last weekend, but according to Metanoia Films (the company behind the movie) a strongger showing is necessary this weekend to keep the film in theaters. So if you have some time and want to take in an uplifting movie, give "Bella" a try.

Comments

[I'll go see it, Thanks!]

Thanks Jubal. These are the kinds of movies that should be made and based on your review we will go see it this weekend. Thanks.

Reviews on Bella... A Must See!

Warm, sweet and funny.
-Roger Ebert, rogerebert.com

Versategui is a natural on the big screen, a compelling presence.
-Ruthe Stein, SF Chronicle

"A sweet, life-affirming picture"
- Gary Goldstein, Los Angeles Times

"A bear-hugging embrace of sweetness and light"
-Stephen Holden, The New York Times

"Cynics need not apply, but I found "Bella" a real heart tugger."
- Lou Lumenick, New York Post

An unforgettable experience! A celebration of family, food, music and life-affirming values
-Michael Medved

ABC NEWS
A romantic drama….Mexican director Alejandro Gomez Monteverde's Bella tells the story of two people whose lives converge and turn upside down on a single day in New York. It has won the People's Choice Award, which is often an indicator of future Academy Award nominations.

RUETERS:
TORONTO (Reuters) - "Bella," a romantic drama by Mexican director Alejandro Monteverde, was the surprise winner of the top award at the Toronto Film Festival on Saturday….. The prize is often an indicator of future Academy Award nominations, with past recipients including best picture winners "American Beauty" and "Chariots of Fire."Last year's winner, "Tsotsi," won an Oscar for best foreign-language film. "I really hope that this is not a dream and that I don't wake up at film school," a visibly surprised Monteverde said at an awards ceremony. "This festival is my first festival, it's my first film. It’s my first everything."

NEW YORK TIMES WEBSITE:
A man whose life is about to be changed forever discovers that sometimes it takes losing it all to finally appreciate the things that truly matter in director Alejandro Monteverde's emotional tale of self discovery. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide Click link below to view actual article
You can get NY Times article by going to this link: http://movies2.nytimes.com/gst/movies/movie.html?v_id=348546

FOX NEWS
I am very pleased that the Toronto Film Festival chose "Bella" to win their top audience award over the weekend…. It's incredibly charming, with terrific performances by Tammy Blanchard and Mexican star Eduardo Verástegui and Manny Perez. It's directed by Alejandro Gomez Monteverde. It's too easy to say this is the "My Big Fat Greek Wedding" of this season, because "Bella" is far more complex and sophisticated while losing none of the humor. Whoever decides to release "Bella" will have a nice little hit on their hands. The freshness and lack of affectation in "Bella" must have appealed to audiences who had to endure a number of big-name films that seemed contrived, stale or calculated. You can get read the article by going to this link: http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,214255,00.html

HOLLYWOOD REPORTER: “Bella” Wins
TORONTO -- A trio of Mexicans triumphed at the Toronto International Film Festival on Saturday when their U.S. independent drama "Bella" captured the People's Choice Award, voted on by festival audiences…. "These Mexican guys go to America and beat the American independents at their game -- it's impressive," Toronto festival co-director Noah Cowan said after an awards luncheon. You can get Hollywood Reporter logo and authors name for the article by going to this link: http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/hr/search/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1003123305

HOLLYWOOD REPORTER: The Story Behind “Bella”
Winning in Toronto can be the first step on the road to Oscar and Golden Globes success. "Bella" could wind up following in the footsteps of such past Toronto winners as: "American Beauty," which won five Oscars in 2000, including best picture and director, and three Globes, including best picture and director; "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon," which won four Oscars in 2001, including best foreign language film, was a best picture Oscar nominee and won two Globes, including best director for Ang Lee. Read the article at this link: http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/hr/search/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1003221195

VARIETY
"This movie depicts the culture but also transcends it," said Pilar O'Leary, exec director of the Smithsonian Institute's Latino Center. "It has universal appeal."Which is why the Latino Center is presenting Verastegui and helmer Alejandro Monteverde with its award for emerging talent. Pic doesn't see release until August, but because of the increasing buzz, the Mexican Embassy wanted to sponsor a private screening as part of its Cinco de Mayo bash. -William Triplett, Variety.com To read entire article visit this link: http://www.variety.com/article/VR1117964437.html?categoryid=38&cs=1&query=bella    

AFI (American Film Institute) Movie Review - Dallas
Life is really, really hard; thank god it's so beautiful - it's one of those rare films that catches you by the emotional short hairs and refuses to let go. By the time the final reel plays, you're going to be weeping tears of commingled sadness and joy - unless you happen to have blocked tear ducts . (And, if you do, you might consider a viewing of this movie as a possible cure.) Bella is really not so much a love story (in the sense of two people falling head over heels) as it is a story about love and how it can heal psychic wounds and enrich our lives. -John P. Meyer, AFI Dallas. To read article visit this link: http://www.pegasusnews.com/news/2007/mar/28/afi-dallas-movie-review-ibellai/

InCONTENTION.com
"Bella" marks the debut feature of Alejandro Gomez Monteverde, a truly humble man in awe of the fact that he's actually made it here. It's better to know as little as possible about this film before going into it but let me tell you that it feels both sincere and loving. It's great to see a film that legitimately moves the viewer without being drowned in sap. And it does this in just 90 minutes. If it comes your way, see it. You won't regret it. You can read the article by going to this link: http://www.incontention.com/toronto/2006/09/beautiful_indeed.html

CNN - Ana Maria Montero
“Powerful and moving... a true inspiration.”

NBC, MIAMI
"Bella is a romantic drama full of heart, soul and beautiful messages. It's a film that will stay with you forever! Powerful, passionate and unpredictable, Bella is a rare gem, a true surprise. A movie that can transform your life and keep you thinking. Bella is a cinematic jewel. One of the best films I've seen in a long time".Watch out for its extraordinary cast, especially Mexican leading man Eduardo Verastegui, truly the “Brad Pitt of Latin America”. -- Maria Salas, NBC-Miami