Posted by
Dwayne Horner on Sunday, October 28, 2007 11:37:09 AM
There's a movie out there that you won't hear much about and which will not receive very much support, it's called
Bella and trust me - you will want to go see it. It has won the People's Choice Award from the Toronto Film Festival, which includes past films such as Chariots of Fire and Hotel Rwanda. It's a story about compassion, courage, love, tragedy, and most importantly - the importance of life. I was lucky enough to be invited by George P. Bush and his wife Amanda to the red carpet Dallas World Premier of the movie Saturday night, equally lucky to have the beautiful Kristin Jones of the
Texas Alliance of Life as my guest for this special screening. It was my first time to walk a red carpet, and I am so glad this movie was the reason.
The movie centers around three main characters: Nina, who after being a few mornings in a row, is late to work because she finds out she is pregnant. Jose, who we later find out was part of a tragic accident that changed his life, proves that there still is a good in this world. Manny, Jose's brother, who owns the restaurant that Jose works at and fires him when he walks out to help Nina the day she losses her job and finds out she is pregnant. It demonstrates over and over again how important life is in many different ways, not just the abhorent practice of abortion, but every life is valuable.
One review by
Roger Moore of the Orlando Sentinel has already caught my ire, it's written as if he had not even seen the movie but simply watch the trailor. Sadly, the Dallas Morning News has not reviewed the movie but published Mr. Moore's odd version of what he thought of the movie. It failed to mantion any of the awards he has received, which begs me to think there was a motive to the review. A letter to the Editor James Moroney III will be in the mail this upcoming week.
Perhaps the best review is from Tony Bennett, yes THAT Tony Bennett,
when he said “This film is an artistic masterpiece that every American must see! To create something at this level is nearly impossible and these young guys did it. The Timing, cinematography and music is amazing. Bella is timeless and made for this time in our country when Mexicans and Americans are divided. This movie builds a bridge of healing and reminds everyone of what's most important in life.”
Bella is in a limited release, but has the potential to really surprise some people. This is a can't miss movie. It's not a chick flick, it's a life flick!
UPDATE: "In narrower release, Roadside Attractions' "Bella" opened solidly with $1.3 million. The film stars Eduardo Verastegui as a former soccer player who hooks up with a pregnant waitress (Tammy Blanchard)." Good news is an outstanding weekend for a film that was only on a select amount of screens across the country. Bad news is how
By DAVID GERMAIN AP Movie Writer chose to characterize it as guy hooks up with pregnant girl. That's like saying guys in America defeat guys from England in 1776. There is so much more to this film but you take the good with the bad.