Bella (2006)

Sometimes a single day spent with a stranger can change the course of two lives forever. Alejandro Gómez Monteverde's "Bella" is a powerful, gently paced film about two people trying to do the right thing while searching for meaning in their lives. Eduardo Verástegui stars as José, a quiet, brooding man haunted by his past, who once had a promising career as a professional soccer player. Now he works as a chef in the New York restaurant run by his brother Manny (Manny Perez), mostly keeping to himself. When Manny fires Nina (Tammy Blanchard), a young waitress, for showing up late once too often, José is troubled by his brother's harsh treatment and impulsively walks out of work to follow her. Over the course of the day, he learns that she is pregnant and alone. In just a few hours, the two form a deep bond, sharing their pasts, feelings and fears, and a lasting friendship begins. As Nina wrestles with what to do about her pregnancy and José finally confronts a tragic accident from his past, their newfound connection helps them both heal and grow. In the end, their lives become permanently intertwined in a beautiful and unexpected way. A moving, reflective film that invites serious soul-searching, it won the People's Choice Award at the 2006 Toronto International Film Festival.