Review of B'ella (2014) by Vicky T — 20 Jul 2008

It's a rare treat as a movie goer to see true beauty captured on screen. You see entertainment all the time, movies made for you to exchange currency for a viewing at your local movie venue. Movies that are scripted and acted. With a director and a cast and a flashy trailer. It isn't nearly as hard to make a movie like that as it is to make a movie that truly feels organic. Like a living, breathing thing. A movie that transcends popculture, the flavoured actor of the week and just conventional filmmaking in general. A movie like Bella.

It feels like a portrait. Something done by a human hand where each stroke is driven by thousands of emotions and creativities inside the painter, all coming together. Bella is the story of chef and ex soccer player Jose, who works for his brother Manny at a restaurant in New York. Nina, who also works at the restaurant, is fired. The movie pretty much encompasses what happens through the course of one single day, mostly between these three characters. It might not sound like much but each character has a unique feeling without coming off as scripted or predictable. That's especially important in a movie that is so driven by it's characters. Considering that most of it takes place in such a short period of time that means that it's even more challenging to develop characters without overexposing the traits they posess.

Subtlety is key but the problem that most directors have is they can't successfuly do it and few of those who can respect their audience enough to. The ones that try either make spectacular films or have you asleep by the halfway mark. This is one of those rare occaisons where you definitely won't be sleeping. This is a movie that has a very positive drive and doesn't show you the evils of the world or the tired good vs evil plotline. Instead it shows how beautiful people can be to eachother and the importance of the other people that inhabit the earth and the difference a single day can make in someones life. It's about love, passion (for life, not sex) and friendship. This is a movie I can't even really describe other than to just suggest you see it. As much as I found a substantial amount of enjoyment in this film it isn't for everyone. It's not a fast paced movie or one that will have drawn out dramatic sequences. That being siad it has a fantastic ending. One that will probably make you cry (in a joyous way) but definitely gives a perfect close to the movie. It keeps the integrity of the film and properly closes the movie.

Rarely can I say that a movie seems more like a living, breathing thing than something that was filmed, edited and pressed onto plastic. If you're a fan of cinema then this is a must watch. With a little patience you'll reap the benefits of enjoyment and walk away with a lot more than most movies give you.