Bella (2006)

User Rating:

7.4/10   

Director:

Alejandro Gomez Monteverde

Writers:

Alejandro Gomez Monteverde (writer) and
Patrick Million (writer)

Release Date:

26 October 2007 (USA)

Genre:

Drama | Romance

Tagline:

One Person Can Change Your Life Forever

Plot:

Sooner or later every one of us will face an irreversible moment that will change our lives forever. If it hasn't happened to you yet...it will. BELLA is a true love story about how one day in New York City changed three people forever.

Plot Keywords:

Restaurant | Car Accident | Adoption | Friendship | Choice

Awards:

6 wins

Cast

Eduardo Verástegui	...	Jose
Tammy Blanchard	...	Nina
Manny Perez	...	Manny
Ali Landry	...	Celia
Angélica Aragón	...	Mother
Jaime Tirelli	...	Father
Ramon Rodriguez	...	Eduardo
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Lukas Behnken	...	Johannes
Peter Bucossi	...	Angry Driver
David Castro	...	David
Michael Chin	...	Bodega Clerk
Dominic Colon	...	Pepito
Hudson Cooper	...	Father on Beach
Tawny Cypress	...	Frannie
Ewa Da Cruz	...	Veronica
Sara Dawson	...	Helen
Doug DeBeech	...	Pieter
Alexa Gerasimovich	...	Lucinda
Herb Lovelle	...	Homeless Man
Michael Mosley	...	Kevin
Wade Mylius	...	J.J. Janze
Stan Newman	...	Businessman on Phone
Sophie Nyweide	...	Bella
Kola Ogundiran	...	African Cabbie
Melinda Peinado	...	Clinic Nurse
Alfonso Ramírez	...	Leonardo
Armando Riesco	...	Francisco
Jamie Schofield	...	Hostess
James Stanek	...	Henri
Marilyn Torres	...	Carla
Teresa Yenque	...	Amelia

Also Known As:

Beauty (International: English title) (informal literal title)

MPAA:

Rated PG-13 for thematic elements and brief disturbing images.

Runtime:

USA:91 min | Canada:91 min (Toronto International Film Festival)

Country:

USA | Mexico

Language:

English | Spanish

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Certification:

USA:PG-13 | Canada:G (British Columbia/Quebec) | Australia:PG | Canada:PG (Manitoba/Ontario) | Brazil:Livre | Argentina:13 | Portugal:M/12

Filming Locations:

New York City, New York, USA

Company:

Metanoia Films

Quotes:

Jose: My grandmother used to say, "You want to make God laugh? Tell him your plans."

Movie Connections:

Featured in "The O'Reilly Factor: (2008-05-05)" (2008)

An excellent movie - 2006 Toronto Film Festival winner

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. Jose, the restaurant's chef, is taken by Nina's plight and becomes her sole confidant. Jose helps her walk through her decision on what to do with her pregnancy. 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. They are excellent both individually and in their interactions with each other. You're sure to see more from both of these rising stars.

A believable script, quality acting, and effective cinematography, music, and sound kept my attention from start to finish. I had no expectations from this film and came away truly impacted--A very powerful piece of cinema. 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. And don't be surprised to see this one in the running for one or more Oscars.