October 30, 2007

In Italian, the word “bella” means beautiful; and it is a well chosen and most appropriate title to a new movie which was released this past weekend. Those of you who are regular readers of “from the friars” know that the friars are enthusiastically supporting this movie and we are personally asking you, your family members, friends, coworkers, and fellow parishioners to see this wonderful film. I went this past Sunday – and it was indeed a very beautiful experience.

Although it was a full length film, I found it so engaging that I wished it were longer! Having a bit of a background “in the business,” I can tell you – across the board – Bella gets very good grades. I expected the message of the movie to be excellent, but I didn’t expect the storyline, cinematography, editing, and soundtrack to be the same: superb. The acting, too, was exceptional, but no surprise since the male lead is Mexico’s most popular soap opera actor. From what I’ve been told, Mexico’s “heartthrob” gave his heart to Christ and now is heaven bent on making films to promote Godly values.

Although I’m a New Yorker through and through, for years I have avoided going into Times Square, what I call “the belly of the beast.” Thankfully, the area is no longer “seedy” and more “family friendly.” Yet, I must admit, the whole place makes my head spin and eyes cross. The best way I can describe Times Square is to have you imagine yourself walking through a stadium-sized pinball machine. The famous neon lights of Broadway are now giving way to jumbo digital screens. So you might imagine how I had to brace my brain as I walked down 42 nd Street, slowly making my way through crowds of tourists. It was like walking in a sensory storm. Yet, little would I realize that right in the center of the storm, in the belly of the beast no less, I would encounter a peaceful oasis for my spirit.

At the movie’s end, the audience had the unexpected opportunity to meet one of the producers and supporting actors; both of them sincerely thanked us for coming. They encouraged us to spread the word, to tell everyone to see Bella. They told us, true to form, that some Hollywood movie critics have been antagonistic towards the film, saying the movie’s message is “unrealistic.” Isn’t it interesting that the same critics who give a “two thumbs up” to a movie about a psychopath who acts like an animal will give a “thumbs down” to a movie about people who decide to behave like human beings?

We were told that in Toronto, Bella won the People’s Choice Award. Now, these are the critics who really count – people like you and me who know that the worth of a movie is not measured by shock value, but moral value. It’s very easy to make an audience squirm in their seats, but difficult to make an audience think when they leave their seats! It is crucial not to promote Bella as a movie for Catholics or “pro-lifers!” No, this movie was made for those who have no faith in God, nor qualms about abortion. Please, don’t just invite “the pillars of the church,” rather, invite those who have no idea if their local church even has pillars!

The producers of the movie have a website you should visit: helpbella.com. I have mentioned more than once, we have no right to complain about the forces of darkness if we are unwilling to take up our torches and drive out the enemy. When I was a kid, we did whatever we could to prepare for an enemy missile attack, but who expected today’s insidious moral attack? We were so concerned about being clubbed on the skull, we never even imagined getting cancer of the soul.

If you’re a New Yorker, next weekend, make your way through the world’s largest electronic obstacle course and see this movie. If you live in the country, pile in the car and head into town. Yet, whether you live in a Manhattan penthouse or a Michigan farmhouse, when you finally get back home, you’ll sit back and say to yourself, “Wow, I wish we had more movies like Bella! Well friend, because you went, you just might get your wish!

Fr. Glenn Sudano, CFR

Most Blessed Sacrament Friary, Newark, NJ

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