In some circles, the movie, Bella, is all the buzz. In other circles, few have heard about it. I found myself in the latter until the opportunity to screen the movie fell on my lap, thanks to Cardinal Sean O'Malley and the Pro-Life office of the Archdiocese of Boston. The Cardinal clearly wants to get this powerful pro-life message out to the world so that everyone can have a better understanding of, and live more fully, the "culture of life." Before attending, I had concluded this screening was meant to rouse the troops — to call to action those that already embrace the culture of life and all that it entails. I had concluded this screening would be more informational for those in attendance, so that they could speak clearly and knowledgeably about the film, but that it would be preaching to the choir, so to speak. I was wrong.
This movie is not a pro-life movie. This movie is not about changing minds. It is not about faith. It is much, much more. Bella is a love story, without the romance. Bella is, artistically portrayed on screen, the love of Christ as an authentic, personal friend that each and every one of us is called to be for those around us. And I don't mean love and friendship in the squishy, vacuous, warm-fuzzy sort of way. I mean love and friendship in the simple, true-concern, stop-to-listen and hear, prayerful, self-sacrificing kind of way. The kind of love and friendship that we all have a difficult time with, if we are being honest with ourselves.
So why does each person need to see this movie? It is so often bemoaned that Hollywood puts forth far too few movies that enrich society. It is true that nothing speaks louder to Hollywood than the box office, and attendance helps get the message to Hollywood that we thirst for the good, the true, and the beautiful. But that is not why you need to see this movie. It is also true that the more popular the movie becomes, the broader the scope of people it reaches. By attending, we help spread the message of the movie to everyone. But that is not why you need to see this movie.
You need to see this movie because the effect of its message has to begin with you. No matter who you are or what you do, no matter how ordinary a life you live, when you learn to live and to love others with the authentic friendship of Christ — actually caring about each person — you necessarily change the world. When you close your eyes to your own perception of the people around you, and open your eyes to see them as Christ sees them, you necessarily change the world. When you put the love of Christ into your home and your family (and sometimes, this is the most difficult thing to truly do), the joy and love is evident to those around you. You may not know it, but that witness necessarily changes the world. When you work with people and make the effort to get to know each one personally, you cease to see them merely as co-workers or employees. You learn that each one has his or her own story and history. Even your boss! This necessarily changes how you perceive them, treat them, work with them, and love them as Christ loves them. That is how we change the world.
Each person needs to see this movie, because we all fall short, and we all can learn how to be better, truer, more authentic friends to those around us. Each person will walk away from the movie with something different, but there is something for everyone. For me as a parent, it was a powerful reminder of how a cheerful home can touch the hearts of those who visit. More importantly, it is in the joy-filled home that we raise our children to be authentic friends to those around them. This is not easy, but it is simple. How joyful and loving is my home and my family? How can I improve?
This is a movie for families, but keep the young ones home because it is rated PG-13 for the solid reasons of "thematic elements and brief disturbing images." If your tween can handle intense moments on film, then you may find he or she can handle Bella. Better yet, see the movie first, and prepare your older children with a discussion before seeing the movie together. You then cannot pass up the opportunity to follow the movie with more discussion as they (and you) will most likely need to work through the depth of its message in conversation and prayer.
In convincing others to see this movie, it certainly doesn't hurt that Bella has already won the Toronto Film Festival's People's Choice Award. It doesn't hurt that the lead actor, Eduardo Verastegui, is the "Brad Pitt of Mexico," an extremely popular singer and soap opera actor. Speaking of getting to know people, knowing Eduardo's deep, personal conversion story only makes the movie that much more poignant. It also helps that Steve McEveety, the producer of Braveheart and the Passion of the Christ said, "The Passion showed us how Christ died for us, Bella shows us how to live for others." But what you and your family receive from this movie and put into action around you is its most powerful praise.
Oftentimes the choir needs to be preached to because there is always room for improvement. Don't think of Bella as a movie others need to see. Think of it as a movie you must see. For more information than you can possibly imagine, visit www.bellathemovie.com.
