“Bella” the Beautiful
In a season of films laden with special effects, Bella stands out as a refreshingly sweet and well-done film. Most of the scenes are so well-done that it’s hard to believe many were filmed with only one take. Lead Eduardo Verastagui (Jose) is very believable as a gregarious soccer star who becomes a reclusive chef after a tragedy alters the course of his life. Tammy Blanchard, as Nina, is desperate as a young woman who learns that she is pregnant, and struggles to decide what to do with the child she carries.
It’s a great example of selfless love.
The film succeeds in its message to choose life because it’s not stridently proclaimed at every moment. Jose mentions adoption once and doesn’t badger Nina for a decision; he just asks her to consider. As they walk through their day together, you sense that he will support her in whatever decision she makes. That’s a great example of selfless love - it says you may not make the choices I want you to, but I will still be by your side.
Some of the reviews I read said the film was not pro-life enough or pro-choice enough. That’s why I think it succeeds. Do we really want films that tell us how to feel and how to think? Aren’t we more engaged by those that raise questions and let us come to our own conclusions? Personally, I think the movie screams “Choose life!” and not just for Nina. There are others in the story who need to choose life.
There were a few twists in the story that I thought were set up well. We find out why Jose is a chef and not a world-class soccer star, and we learn why he advocates adoption. Both are set up well without giving anything away or leaving the viewer shocked at the turn of events.
Producer Sean Wolfington, who helped form Metanoia Films, received an Excellence in Adoption Award from the National Council for Adoption. He was one of the brains behind the grassroots campaign that got the movie into so many theaters and in front of so many people.
Here’s a great example of what you can do with a good film and solid grassroots marketing strategy. On all fronts, “Bella” is a winner. Be sure to see it before it leaves the theater.
