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155 comments in total

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92 out of 105 people found the following comment useful :-
An excellent movie - 2006 Toronto Film Festival winner, 17 August 2006

Author: justus9-1 from United States

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.

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85 out of 105 people found the following comment useful :-
There is hope for Hollywood, 20 September 2006

Author: tanyatwiggs from United States

I went to the Toronto Film Festival and was looking forward to seeing J-lo's new flick as well as Brad Pitts and Sean Penn's new films as I heard one of those were probably going to win the Oscar bound Peoples choice award at the festival.I screened this unknown movie Bella in Toronto at the Film Festival because I was given a ticket to see it. After seeing the film and participating in a standing ovation with everyone else who saw it and being almost as moved by the touching Q and A afterwards I remember leaving that theater thinking that in a just world that film and those producers would walk away with every award...when I found out that it actually did...that it beat all those other films and that it is now on Oscar's radar I actually felt good about the world in general and the movie industry in particular.

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80 out of 100 people found the following comment useful :-
Bella Wins Top Award at Toronto & Enters Oscar Race, 17 September 2006

Author: anita_baena from United States

I had the privilege of seeing "Bella" at the Toronto Film Festival and was amazed by this beautiful love story! After i heard the buzz about this little film i decided to go see it with out knowing what to expect and i was blown away. Actually, i think it is best to see this film without knowing anything about the story. A lot of people were surprised when Bella took the top prize at Toronto except for me and the other people who saw the film. Our screening ended in a standing ovation and the Q&A went so long that the moderator had to cut it off. The performances were incredible and the directing was remarkable. It was a powerful experience with a lot of unexpected twists and turns... especially the ending. It is amazing that this little film beat out all of this years Oscar hopefuls to get the most coveted Award at Toronto but it could not have happened to a better film. Congrats!

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74 out of 92 people found the following comment useful :-
Wonderful, 18 September 2006

Author: gcs2041 from United States

I was astonished after seeing the film Bella. I was impressed, inspired, uplifted and sobered all at the same time. The film is powerful and thought provoking. Each scene blends perfectly into the next creating and weaving an intricate and detailed story without being self indulgent. The actors make choices that are simple yet powerful. Every character lets their humanity show in a way that causes the audience to fall in love with them throughout the course of the movie. Both the story and the characters are realistic and every scene of the movie is packed with truth. Audiences can see aspects of their own lives and situations in every scene of this masterfully composed story.

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46 out of 58 people found the following comment useful :-
Finally a film with a message and a moral to the story!, 22 September 2006

Author: michaelconley from United States

BELLA is a poignant portrayal of love-conquers-all that runs the gamut from spellbinding to uplifting with a firm but gentle hand as the writer tells a tale of fallen dreams that breathes life into a dying world where family, faith, and friends are re-discovered and claimed as the "ties that bind." The captivating cast as well as the crew embody the very essence of family life among the Latino community yet the writing is so cleverly crafted that it transcends the tumult and transition of recovering from shattered spirits in any family of any ethnic background. The "realness" of the plot and characters makes you feel like you're in the middle of every scene!

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41 out of 51 people found the following comment useful :-
Beautiful !, 20 September 2006

Author: timwarding from United States

I was deeply moved by Bella! It's a movie with great heart and a fantastic cast. The acting blew me away! Eduardo Verastegui and Tammy Blanchard played well together. Who ever did the casting did a phenomenal job! I was at a Q&A and Tammy Blanchard was given flowers- she was very sincere and seemed deeply touched. It's nice to see good characters on screen but who would of thought they are good characters in real life too. I left the theater feeling truly touched and inspired because of the movie and the Q&A! I enjoyed the cinematography and the music was well picked. In fact, I can't wait for the music CD of Bella to come out! I really enjoyed this movie- it was beautiful!

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29 out of 35 people found the following comment useful :-
Truly Moving Picture, 6 September 2007

Author: tollini from United States

*** This comment may contain spoilers ***

I am a judge for the Indianapolis-based Heartland Film Festival. This feature film is a Crystal Heart Award Winner and is eligible to be the Grand Prize Winner in October of 2007. The Heartland Film Festival is a non-profit organization that honors Truly Moving Pictures. A Truly Moving Picture "…explores the human journey by artistically expressing hope and respect for the positive values of life."

This is a complex tale that takes all your attention to understand. In a series of now moments and flashback moments, we learn about two main characters. Jose is a handsome and empathetic Chef, who had a lucrative professional soccer career thrown away because of a careless automobile accident. Nina is a waitress at the same restaurant and has an unwanted pregnancy.

Nina wants to have an abortion. Jose, only a casual co-worker, wants her to keep the child, and takes off a day of his life to try to convince her.

The backdrop of this full day is NYC. And we see lots of New York moments; that is, rudeness, kindness, emotion, ethnic behavior, subways, trains, beggars, dancing, street people and much more.

The film beautifully shows the power of a good family. Jose has a caring and loving Mother, Father, older brother and younger brother. With these relationships, it is easier for Jose to try to do the "right" thing than it is for Nina, who comes from a dysfunctional and tragic family.

FYI – There is a Truly Moving Pictures web site where there is a listing of past Truly Moving Picture Award winners that are now either at the theater or available on video.

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39 out of 56 people found the following comment useful :-
Clean, sweet and lovely........period!!!, 20 September 2006

Author: Tina Maria Salinas (tms@hispanictouchtalent.com) from Los Angeles, california

I had the privilege of attending one of the private screenings of BELLA in Hollywood, Califronia...when the film ended I left the theater with a light feeling in my heart almost felt like I was on a cloud thinking "What a beautiful, clean message of acceptance and unconditional love"....BELLA "is" a labor of love and I'm proud to be a Latina just like the production company METANOIA FILMS which produced this amazing film....I am certain audiences worldwide will enjoy this film as much as I did, since it contains no violence, sex or profanity...what a breath of fresh air it is to watch a film like BELLA...I will watch it again and again, only next time I will take family and friends with me....what a treat!!!!!! TM Salinas

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39 out of 57 people found the following comment useful :-
Oscar Buzz, 19 September 2006

Author: josh-837 from United States

I had the privilege of seeing a test screen of this movie and it was simply amazing. It is unbelievable to think that Alejandro Monteverde is a first time director. The story is beautiful and so very refreshing. The setting for the movie is in New York and was the perfect choice. The plot is also captivating and the audience is left falling in love with not only the characters, but their story too. I knew little about the movie going into the screening, but was blown away by the end. It is no surprise this movie won the "People's Choice" award at the Toronto International Film Festival and it will be no surprise if there is definite Oscar Buzz surrounding this wonderful film. Trust me, if the reaction to this film is anything like it was the night I saw it, this film will be remembered for a long time to come.

www.bellathemovie.com

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40 out of 61 people found the following comment useful :-
I saw a sneak-peak and I think everyone should see Bella., 19 September 2006

Author: guzzytoff from United States

I had the privilege of catching a sneak-peak of Bella before it won the Tronto Film Festival, followed by a Q&A with the director and some of the cast members. I cannot stress how very humble and real they all are. As for the film, being from the Midwest, I've watched TV all my life. Flipping channels it's funny how you stumble across films that you don't think anyone has ever heard of; but later you grow to realize that that one film, that one film you watched late one Thursday night, made such a difference in the way you chose to carry yourself through life that you became a part of it, and it a part of you. You don't know why, but for some reason, you just needed to see it: Bella is that film.

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