Bella (2007)

This week Mandy and I took a few hours to see the movie Bella. Bella is the story of a young man who had been a promising soccer star with the potential to earn millions of dollars until he is involved in a driving accident costing the life of a young girl who had been playing in the street. As a result he gives up his soccer dreams and works as a chef in his brother's restaurant. One of the waitresses in the restaurant is fired for being repeatedly late, so our soccer star decides to get to know her. Through their day together he discovers that she is pregnant and considering an abortion. As he gets to know her better and introduces her to his family throughout the day, the idea of adoption is gradually brought into the picture.This movie is well done. This is a good movie, though probably not a great movie. It is not full of twists and turns, nor is it a surprise where the movie will end up (after all it's been promoted through Churches). What is important is where it goes and where it ends up. This is a movie that needs to be promoted by the Church. This is a movie that needs to be seen by every woman considering an abortion. No, I don't believe that it will change everyone's life. However, if it changes just one, than it's worth it.It's a simple movie with a simple, yet powerful message. It is a story about second chances, redemption and moving past our mistakes. In the story we see the guilt of taking a life, but we also see how someone moves past that. Too often people feel guilt over one thing or another, but consistently do the same stupid mistakes. Too often people talk about how evil abortion is, but do nothing to make room for these children through adoption or adoption support. Too little is done to include children with disabilities in the church, though as many as 85% are in danger of abortion, because there is no room for them. In Bella, we see someone who says that life is important and the taking of life is no small thing. In the story we see him live up to his ideals. This makes it a necessary movie.Critics can complain that the movie is overly sentimental or too predictable. I don't care. Good is good.