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Bella (2007) DVD Review
Bella (2007) DVD Credits:
Bella (2007) Directed by:
Not available at this time
Bella (2007) Written by:
Not available at this time
Bella (2007) Cast:
Tammy Blanchard, Manny Perez, Angélica Aragón
Bella (2007) Released by:
Not available at this time
Region:
1
Bella (2007) DVD Release Date:
5th May 2008
Our Rating: Extras Rating:

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Bella (2007) Synopsis:

An international soccer star (Eduardo Verástegui) is on his way to sign a multi-million dollar contract when something happens that brings his career to an abrupt end. A waitress (Tammy Blanchard), struggling to make it in New York City, discovers something about herself that she's unprepared for. In one irreversible moment, their lives are turned upside down...until an impetuous action brings them together and turns an ordinary day into an unforgettable experience. Once a famous athlete, and now a cook at his brother's Mexican restaurant, José has retreated from the world but he recognizes something in Nina, a young waitress, and reaches out to her. In the course of a single day, he not only confronts his past but shows her how the healing power of a family can help her embrace the future.

Bella (2007) DVD Review:

No matter how I try I can’t seem to find words that will do justice to Bella. Perhaps this is because my reasons for liking the film are both personal and emotional, and although this is achieved with some degree of intelligence it is done with subtlety to accommodate the simplicity of the film. This simplicity may make Bella seem cliché, unoriginal or perhaps even dull when described, because the film is essentially about two people getting to know each other. If it weren’t for how well these two people are created, showing us that they have had a rough life despite their youth, they might not be interesting for the length of the film. Rather than the hectic style of One Fine Day, showing two people getting to know each other throughout the business of one day, Bella shows two people who have taken the day to get to know each other, despite the fact that they may have other placers to be. As a result Bella seems a pleasant and well-paced film that leads us into an afternoon getting to know two worthwhile individuals.

Bella was one of those films with a grassroots marketing campaign, and as a result I had received enough emails about the film praising it to convince me I was already tired of a film I had not already seen. I will admit that I was not necessarily looking forward to seeing Bella, nor did I think I would enjoy it, but despite my preconceived notions I was nearly immediately won over by the engaging personalities of the two lead actors, Eduardo Verástegui and Tammy Blanchard. The two star as a cook and a waitress at an upscale Manhattan restaurant, but when the waitress shows up late once too many because of an unexpected pregnancy she is fired. The cook spends his time getting to know the people in the kitchen even though his brother, who manages the family restaurant, easily fires a waitress without a thought, so the cook follows the waitress. The result is a day of two acquaintances becoming far better acquainted, although their connection remains nearly entirely plutonic, as if they are two wounded souls connecting.

Although my giving more details about the characters or the plot would not necessarily ruin the film, it may detract from the pleasure which comes as the characters begin exposing layers of themselves to each other and the audience. There isn’t much of a destination for the film, and frankly I was a little bit confused about the ending, making the film all about the journey. The experience is incredibly rewarding and uplifting, also unexpected and original along the way. The acting is completely engaging and the most unbelievable aspects of the film were taken from a true story.

The DVD includes an audio commentary track with director Alejandro Monteverde as well as a behind-the-scenes featurette. Even more interesting is the featurette about the journey trying to find distribution for the film. It really is remarkable how difficult it is to make a movie and have it become a success. Other features on the DVD include a music video by Alejandro Sanz and a trailer gallery.

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Bella (2007) DVD review written by: Ryan Izay

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