Amazing film with a beautiful story that will touch your heart...unless you are a cold-hearted liberal movie critic.

A great family film, it has a positive message. I am amazed how much a small film tells a refreshing story about the value of family and life.

This is one of the best movies of 2007. It acheives a level of naturalness and simplicity that few other movies I have seen are able to. The strength of the movie is the acting, which is exemplary. I didn't find it unrealistic in the least, everything which happens in this movie could happen every day. The main thrust of this movie is redemption, pure and simple. How each of us striving to be more loving and reaching out to each other inevitably heal our own hurts by doing so. The butterfly symbolism is touching, mystical and artistic, the music was exemplary, camera shots and angles were unique. My favorite scene is the one on the beach where Tammy Blanchard does some of the most convincing emotional acting I have seen on screen to date. A positive message for a jaded modern world. The only reason the critics bashed this movie was because of its message which they eskew to be religious or pro-life. It offers that message to be sure, but in a very subtle way. It handles the subject matter with heart and concern, its prime focus being the message of redeeming love, family and friendship. It takes both sides into account and is neither condescending or preachy in the least. Listen to the peoples choice on this one, pay no mind to the critics whom rate for political correctness and enjoy a beautiful movie!… Expand

I do not like the movie at all! I don't even like the name of the actual movie! Bella?! Come on!

Cloyingly sentimental film. Too many dark brooding looks, pregnant (haha) pauses for effect, too saccharine by far. When it's recommended in catechism class, you can pretty much predict the plot.

This movie is awesome!

A dispute over change between a Chinese grocer and an Anglo-American customer results in "Crash"-like words. Was the bill that the customer handed over to the grocer, a ten, or a five spot? Nina(Tammy Blanchard) is next in line. The customer leaves. It's Nina's turn. "Korea"(what the customer calls the grocer) opens the till and sees that he erred. This is not a throwaway scene. Don't be distracted by the Unabomber-like beard that Jose(Eduardo Verastegui) sports, in repose, or in rapport with Nina. Don't be distracted by the overwrought emotions that ensues. While you weren't looking, this filmmaker remade "Crash" to his own specifications(from the point-of-view of a Latino). In Paul Haggis' "Crash", Ludacris doesn't stop. Jose stops. He stops and gives assistance to the injured. And he still winds up in prison for five years. Because of that scene at the Chinese grocer, the ethnicity of the second party becomes relevant. The victim, and the victim's mother, are Anglo-American. Draw your own conclusions as to the sort of prison sentence Tom might have received were he not from Mexico. "Bella" begins well. Manny(Manny Perez), a restaurant owner, incidentally, shares the same name as the protagonist in Stewart O'Nan's "Last Night at the Lobster". He runs a tight shift. His firing of Nina is justified. Her anger is justified, too(this is the first of three crashes). So far, so good. The walking tour of New York that Jose and Nina undertake is okay, as well. But when they reach their destination, "Bella" becomes hard to watch. The film is somewhat redeemed by its political subtext.… Expand

I loved this movie! Had me from start to finish.

One of the best i have seen in very long time, in ages... true, down to earth , reality hits right to the heart, spiritual battle over live and death! very good photography, great script, over all don't miss on a blessing...

A breath of fresh air to the movie watching world, Bella portrays the meaning of living and giving life.

Beautiful film with a powerful message. It is a must see.

Exquisite and beautiful. Artistically-filmed with a good soundtrack and great acting. One of the *best* movies I've seen in a long, long time. It's all about redemption. Guilt-ridden for taking the life of an innocent little girl in a tragic car accident, Jose is redeemed by saving the life of Nina's Bella. How does he save her life? Well, that's the story the movie tells. Other people get redeemed too -- Nina and Manny come to mind. This hopeful story is well-grounded in reality. People who feel the film is "inauthentic" must have incredibly sad and jaded lives. But for those who know that redemption is real, for those who have been able to forgive themselves and others for terrible deeds, for those who have been wallowing in a pit only to be raised out of it by the love of another, this movie speaks the truth.… Expand

This movie is one of my all-time favorites. Tammy Blanchard delivered an Oscar-worthy performance as Nina, and the rest of the cast was excellent. The movie handled sensitive issues in a delicate and thought-provoking way. The characters were eminently believable and compelling, and the movie -- despite having a clear message -- steered clear of being preachy or tacky. The ending left me with tears running down my face. I want everyone to watch this movie.… Expand

Bella is one of a kind. A story that is not far from reality: a rushing city as NY, a real life latin family, an unwanted pregnancy... all from a positive point of view, one that all of us should adopt as a lifestyle. There is nothing irreversible, with real love anything can be overcome. A good message, great acting and an original story. Brave creators of a movie that contains a polemic theme. Definitely, a must-see!… Expand

I'm both a Christian and pro-life, so I would seem to be in the target audience for this movie. I agree with the sentiments of the filmmakers, so I realize that it's well-intended, but it's just bad as a movie. It's full of plot holes and leaves the thinking viewer with a lot of questions about why certain things are happening. Character development doesn't really happen. People just change inexplicably, leaving huge gaps as to WHY the changes occurred. A lot of people are going to like it for the good intentions, but it's very bad as art. If something is being made to glorify God, the author of the universe deserve much better creativity.… Expand

A life changing film.

If you're a non-critical person who falls for tear-jerkers, then you might like this flick. But when you look at it objectively, you've got to realize that there's not much to it. The central plot device doesn't make sense. The main character ends up accidentally running over a child who darts in front of his car. We learn that he was an up and coming star soccer player and because of this tragic incident his career is ruined. We're told that he goes to jail for "involuntary manslaughter". If it was an accident, how could he have been charged with any crime at all? During the accident scene, it's not suggested in any way that the main character was impaired or negligent but nonetheless he's charged with a crime. It's this lack of attention to detail that tells us that the story doesn't ring true in the least. The tragic accident is glossed over as if it's a footnote and it's the central incident pushing the drama forward in the film. I usually feel that the NY Times Reviewers are too soft on movies in general. But this time they got it completely right. According to the Times critic, "If “Bella” (the title doesn’t make sense until the last scene) is a mediocre cup of mush, the response to it suggests how desperate some people are for an urban fairy tale with a happy ending, no matter how ludicrous."… Expand

A mediocre movie that will be praised by the Pro-Lifers as a "life changing film".

Worth watching! Bella wonderfully depicts real human experiences in difficult situations. Most of the "funnest, entertaining" movies, by pop-America culture standards, feed people with useless messages, to say the least. This movie gives a rich message of how it feels to live and making good choices. Artistic. Real. Raw. Human. Simply beautiful! Everyone should watch this movie at least once!

Pleasant film, very nicely acted, particularly Tammy Blanchard and in a small role Ali Landry. Well written but it can be slow moving at times. Worth watching.

awesome movie with a positive message about family and children. A rare movie that usually never makes it through to the viewer to value and appreciate.