Bella

An anti-abortion movie in the guise of an arty tribute to family and friendship, 'Bella' is an anomalous concoction of saccharine ideals and baffling contradictions. Nevertheless, subtle performances by both the leads ensure that you are only mildly annoyed when it reaches its improbable conclusion.

The debut directorial attempt from Mexican Alejandro G. Monteverde — who also co-wrote the screenplay with Patrick Million and Leo Severino — is full of flashbacks, flash-forwards and what appear to be flash-possibilities.

While some of these work effectively, others seem a little ostentatious and detract from what is otherwise a rather nuanced glimpse into the meeting of two isolated and desperate individuals.

Jose (Eduardo Verastegui) was once a famous soccer player with a hefty contract at Club Madrid. Following a tragic accident, his career is cut short and four years later he is working as a chef in his brother Manny's (Manny Perez) restaurant.

A somewhat tyrannical employer, Manny fires one of the waitresses Nina (Tammy Blanchard) when she arrives late at work for the third time in two weeks. Feeling sorry for Nina, the more compassionate Jose runs after her to find out if she is okay. It turns out that she is pregnant, desperate and has no one to talk to.

Deserting the restaurant for the day, and at the same time incurring his brother’s wrath, Jose walks around New York with Nina listening to her problems and helping her secure a new job. At the end of the day they wind up at Jose's family's home, where, over a sumptuous family dinner, Nina is exposed to love and warmth that were absent in her own upbringing.

The conclusion is a little trite and the film would have been significantly better without it. However, the cinematography is beautiful and the connection between Jose and Nina is both unusual and convincing.

Monteverde did well to hide Verastegui's beautiful face behind an unkempt beard and the actor's restrained portrayal of Jose’s pain is irresistible. Blanchard is convincing in a role that is both vulnerable and not entirely likeable.

While not without its obvious merits, this film could really have been so much more.