SansPretense

First, let me tell you about my experience going to see this movie: This past Saturday night (Nov. 17), after hearing about this independent film from my uncle and how much trouble it was having getting a distributor (some suspect because of its positive message), I decided to go see Bella at the single theatre in Nashville that it was playing at (Regal Green Hills). I didn’t go with a lot of expectations, just that it was supposed to be a good movie that appeals to the pro-life crowd because of a pro-adoption message.

I got to the theatre, got in line, and noticed a sign that said “Bella at 10:35 sold out.” So, being surprised, I got out of the line and actually walked out of the building before realizing that if it sold out, I probably should buy advance tickets if I wanted to see it on Sunday. Going back in the theatre I…noticed a table that somehow I missed with the movie poster and some guys. So I walked up to see if they knew anything about the movie. It was the Tennessee Right to Life. They had bought out the movie for the weekend and was giving away tickets for free. So I got a free ticket!

I went into the theatre (which was decently crowded) at the end of some speech by presumably a TN Right to Life person, and as I sat down he introduced the producer of the movie and (I think) lead actor, Eduardo Verastegui! Yes, I got to hear about the troubles the film had finding a distributer from the producer and lead actor in the flesh! He didn’t mention the pro-life message as a problem, so that’s debateable, but he was there!

Now let’s talk about the movie. This is definitely not a mainstream Hollywood film. It is, in my point of view, an artistic film making great use of flashbacks to keep the viewer interested in a story that is more or less a drawn out dialogue between two individuals. Don’t expect excitement, and if you’re a moviegoer with a short attention-span that likes lots of plot twists, this movie is not for you. It is… also kind of predictable in some instances. But the story is deep and moving. There’s an obvious symbolism between the bearded Jose (Verástegui) and Christ that becomes more apparent as the movie goes on. In the beginning of the movie, one is introduced to Jose staring at some children playing on the beach. It’s not long before the scene switches and one learns that Jose was a well-known pro-soccer player on the upswing in his career. After learning this, the scene switches again and we see Jose working in his brother Manny’s restaurant as the head chef. It is this bearded Jose that we start to see is loved and trusted by the staff (later, after he runs out on them, his brother’s anger is contrasted by the staff’s reluctance to judge). After Manny fires Nina, a waitress, for being late, Jose runs after her to bring her a teddy bear she drops and find out why she was late. She’s pregnant. Jose doesn’t go back to work, but instead chooses to spend the day talking with and being there for Nina. She tells Jose early on that her mind is already made up to have an abortion. Jose, is then, from early on, put in a position of being Nina’s supportive friend (the only one she has), while also offering and making an argument for other options.

It’s obvious that Nina and Jose have a platonic relationship, but she trusts him enough to open up. In turn, Jose opens up to her, as well. The movie is the resulting dialogue and days activities, including a trip to Jose’s parents’ house. The movie has been described as a love story, and it is. But the love story is much deeper than the average romance, as this love is, from the Christian perspective, that love that Christ has for each of us:agape. It is the love felt between two friends (budding friends in this case), and how that love grows as they each open up to the other. What better, purer love, is there? And what better way to atone for your own sins, than to be there for another in thier struggle? And in the end, we are not only given a message of hope, but we see that through it all, the love that forms from such a friendship will remain. It is through that love that true salvation comes.

This movie is is not only worth seeing, it deserves to be supported. To find a theatre near you (or try to get it in a theatre near you), please visit the movie website: http://www.bellamoviesite.com/.

Now I want to be clear: as much as I liked the message, the movie is not overtly “pro-life.” It presents a pro-adoption message, but the focus is on the two main characters and their development and relationship. I give the movie 5/5 stars based on the quality of the movie, not the message. It’s just a GREAT independent film, very heart-warming, good for the whole family, and I believe will be a classic. It’s not ground-breaking from a movie sort of view, but definitely a great picture. Go see it because it’s a good movie! Additionally, give the small independent film makers support, especially those with a positive message.