Bella

Before I start, you should understand that I am not one who automatically approves of movies that are popular with Catholics just because they’re popular with Catholics. The “Jesus inventing the table” notion in The Passion annoyed me as much as the next guy, and after two poorly acted, poorly produced hours of a movie on JPII, I plan not to watch the other four. So you should take me seriously when I say “Go see Bella.” The story is touchingly handled, a couple of the actors are superb, and the directing is subtle and inventive. The flavour of Catholicism is indispensable to the story, and yet unobtrusive. It’s more like the rum in the Christmas pudding than the pink and green icing flowers on the cake at the office party. The same goes for the prolife “message,” which isn’t really a message at all. There’s not a word about the rights of the unborn or the sanctity of life. There’s just a movie about forgiveness, the little surprises of providence, and people living happily in spite of suffering. I doubt that Bella will make you a much better soldier in the fight for life. But it is a cheerful reminder that when all is said and done, life is still worth fighting for.