Movie Review: Bella

Life in the Big Apple can be burdensome. One Mexican family seems to have lived the American dream. Busy restaurant owner Manny runs a successful eatery that caters to an upscale crowd. Success at the establishment can largely be attributed to bearded brother Jose who says little but cooks a pretty mean dish. Somewhat aloof, Jose appears troubled and sort of resents his brother’s way of doing business, particularly when it comes to the other employees.

Hard luck stories are a dime and dozen and working in the food/hospitality industry has largely been considered low paying entry into the work force. Immigrants are a natural pool for hired help in restaurants and Nina fits the bill to a tee. Personal problems, however, see Nina flee the grip of Manny which leads to a cascading of bitter conflict between both families and their extended relations.

Frank dialogue and a good take on family issues makes Bella a pretty intriguing story. No new ground is covered here, but the performances are intense, emotional and realistic. Both Tammy Blanchard (The Good Shepherd) and Eduardo Verastegui (Chasing Papy) are convincing as the workers who decide to take matters into their own hands. Just where their quest leads them supplies ample food for fodder as past indiscretions boil to the surface in this bittersweet movie.

John Leguizamo look-a-like Manny Perez (Crooklyn) explodes on screen as a manhandling manager with hunky Romon Rodriguez sure to make female temperatures soar as a romantic brother to the male lead.