Bella

Bella



If you watch only one film this Christmas Season, let it be "Bella".

The other evening, my wife Lucie and I went out on our semi-regular movie date. I did not have a particular movie in mind. But she had heard good things about "Bella" so we decided to check it out.

The independent film from Metanoia productions was carried, without much fanfare, by only one local theatre. I recall receiving an email promoting the film -- a low budget grassroots campaign reminiscent of Mel Gibson's "The Passion of the Christ". The story line was intriguing. And, at the very least, “Bella” had won -- with standing ovation – the People's Choice Award at the Toronto Film Festival. Previous winners of the prestigious award included Chariots of Fire, Life is Beautiful, Hotel Rwanda, American Beauty, and Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon.

Inspired by a true story, the film is well directed by novice Alejandro Gomez Monteverde. The script by Monteverde, Patrick Million, and Leo Severino weaves plausibly through the theme of how the goodness and kindness of one person can affect and gradually influence others. The cast, headed by Latino superstar Eduardo Verastegui and Tammy Blanchard, is well chosen. The artistic photography by Andrew Cadalago gives viewers a fresh, ethnic perspective of New York. The editing occasionally throws viewers off with flashbacks and fastforwards, but it’s not as nonlinear as Christopher Nolan's Memento.

The movie opens with waves caressing the shoreline, children romping on the sand, and a lonely bearded man, Jose (Eduardo Verastegui), pensively watching the scenery. The story shifts to a street scene where boys are playing street soccer... a young, brash soccer player shows them a few tricks and throws them a new ball. Cigar in hand, he gets in the driver seat of a flashy convertible, on his way to a media interview, prior to signing a lucrative deal.

The soccer player's and his manager's ominous drive towards guaranteed fame and fortune cuts to a kitchen in a Manhattan restaurant where chefs and cooks are busy preparing the day’s menu. The impetuous manager Manny (Manny Perez) arrives and whips his crew into a frenzy. Nina (Tammy Blanchard), the young waitress, reports late for work again and is fired on the spot.

Jose, the pensive man on the beach, who, it turns out, is the restaurant's executive chef, and Manny's younger brother (and the soccer player we saw earlier), senses something wrong. He drops everything and walks out of the restaurant to console Nina, who was late for work because of morning sickness.

The story unfolds in its complexity as we learn more about the inconsolable waitress and the compassionate chef. Jobless and without family support, Nina is overwhelmed by her unexpected pregnancy. Jose, not quite certain what to do, intuitively stays with her.

This PG-13 rated movie has no special effects, no car chases or explosions, no drug deals or expletives, no nudity or sex scenes -- none of the standard fare for blockbuster movies. There is only the evolving story of a distressed young woman dealing with an uncertain future, and the love and patience of a kind soul.

Like my kids say, there's nothing much to do in the desert. Movies are an extra treat here. We have clean, safe, and comfortable theatres. Stadium seating and panoramic screens. Smiling cashiers and courteous ushers. Plus, tickets are way cheaper than downtown San Diego or LA.

More often than not, if we watched a movie in the middle of the week, we might be the only patrons. Can you imagine sitting in a modern theatre, watching a Steven Spielberg blockbuster -- in dynamic Dolby digital surround sound -– and not a single rowdy moviegoer within arm's length, no one kicking the back of your seat, no one chattering on a cell phone – in fact, no other living human being in the movie theatre at all, except your lovely date? For those reasons alone, even a boring B movie can be a wonderful experience in the inland valley of Southern California.

But no, Bella is not a B movie. Far from it. Even if it were standing room only, even if the air-conditioning broke down, even if the popcorn was rubbery and the Coke was flat, watching “Bella” would have been a worthwhile experience many times over. There is nothing like kindness, patience, tolerance, compassion – “a celebration of love and life” -- that can quickly warm the heart and gladden the soul.

Go, check out “Bella.” The movie will rekindle your trust in the inherent goodness of people, the beauty of nature, and the wonder of life.



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Edgar A. Gamboa, M.D., FACS

“Dear children! Today, when you celebrate Christ, the King of all that is created, I desire for Him to be the King of your lives. Only through giving, little children, can you comprehend the gift of Jesus´ sacrifice on the Cross for each of you. Little children, give time to God that He may transform you and fill you with His grace, so that you may be a grace for others. For you, little children, I am a gift of grace and love, which comes from God for this peaceless world. Thank you for having responded to my call.”

Message of November 25, 2007

The Medjugorje Webhttp://www.medjugorje.org