Amused

Bella (2006)


Director: Alejandro Gomez Monteverde

MPAA Rating: PG-13

One Day Can Change Your Life.

An international soccer star is on his way to sign a multi-million dollar contract when something happens that brings his career to an abrupt end. José is now a cook at his brother's restaurant, and has retreated from the world to hide from his torments. A waitress at the restaurant, Nina, is struggling to put her life together, discovers she is pregnant - and also gets fired by José's brother Manny who believes her to be tardy. José leaves the job to follow her. Through this irreversible moment, their lives are turned upside down...until an impetuous action brings them together and turns a dreary day into an unforgettable experience. José recognizes something in Nina, and reaches out to her. In the course of a single day, he not only confronts his past but shows her how the healing power of a family can help her embrace the future.

This film is an oasis in the overly parched modern day world of entertainment. It is a great wholesome film that mainly gets it's rating because of its mature theme. Bella is void of crude violence, sex, nudity and crude language, and does not try to pander to its audience any of these cheapisms seen in a majority of Hollywood productions, European or independent films. It is pure quality from beginning to end, including script, directing, actors, cinematography, editing and overall feel. The characters are real and believable, and the story is grounded in true conviction. Bella is made with the passion that does not only make it great - but rather extraordinary.

The second most favorite film I have seen...

Knudegaard Rating:
10 out of 10