Don’t miss ‘Bella,’ and make sure you bring your hankie
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By Linda Cook | Friday, November 16, 2007 |
Tender and intelligent, “Bella” simply shines as one of the finest movies of 2007.
This story about love, redemption and, most of all, what makes a family means bringing a tissue or two is a necessity — but that’s OK. It’s not manipulation that will bring you to tears but the smart decisions by its characters.
The movie is focused on a soccer star, Jose (Eduardo Verástegui, “Chasing Papi”), who finds himself working at a restaurant after an accident. The dining establishment is run by his sourpuss brother, Manny (Manny Perez, “Courage Under Fire”), who is savvy enough when it comes to the eatery business but has zero people skills when it comes interacting with his staff.
A restaurant waitress, Nina (Tammy Blanchard, “The Good Shepherd”), has been late to work several times. She has just discovered that her “illness” is really an unexpected pregnancy. She doesn’t bother to explain this to Manny, who summarily fires her.
Nina, who is hurt but not distraught (“I used to worry. Then I did a little research and found out that 10 out of 10 people die,” she tells Jose), leaves and is accompanied by Jose, who senses that she could use a friendly shoulder. Nina and Jose spend the day together and, although they aren’t particularly well-acquainted at the beginning of their journey, they end up knowing each other well, especially after he takes her home to meet the assorted members of his family.
She is welcomed by Jose’s parents (Angélica Aragón and Jaime Tirelli), and his younger brother, Eduardo (Ramon Rodriguez), who is beyond fussy in insisting that the dinner about to be served be perfect. After all, his new girlfriend is about to arrive.
This is one of those movies that brims unashamedly with life and love. It’s about how some of the most important decisions and, indeed, the little choices we make, can turn on a dime and change simply because someone happens to be nearby. And it’s no coincidence that it’s also one of those grand “food movies,” akin to “Babette’s Feast,” “Chocolat” and “Waitress,” in which the preparation of delicious food, which connects all the characters, reflects abundant emotion.
Feelings run deep throughout this story, which never becomes sugar-coated or contrived. Each cast member gives a convincing performance in this beautiful film.
You’ll want to meet “Bella.” Just be sure to arrive hankie in hand.
Linda Cook reviews movies for the Quad-City Times and KWQC-TV6. Contact her at (563) 383-2400 or dburke@qctimes.com. Comment on this review at qctimes.com.
MovieGuide
“Bella”
**** (out of four)
Running time: 91 minutes
Rated: PG-13 for adult situations
Stars: Eduardo Verástegui, Tammy Blanchard, Manny Perez, Angélica Aragón, Jaime Tirelli, Ramon Rodriguez and Ali Landry
Director/screenwriter: Alejandro Gomez Monteverde
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