This is not a weepy, but a story about healing, forgiveness and redemption.

Bella is mostly harmless, feel-good fare, and not unlike a TV movie of the week in depth. And you could take your old granny with you to see it, without fear.

From the quiet performances to the sensitive direction, everything about this movie is convincing except the very story that drives it.

Bella is a gentle film with a big heart.

It's more of a life story than a love story. It's also a story that would play just as well if you waited to see this on the small screen.

Its anti-abortion argument is loaded: How many pregnant waitresses discover they've been working alongside a kind, sensitive and handsome former millionaire soccer star with no girlfriend who's happy to become an adoptive father?

An inspirational ethnic soap opera story about two damaged sensitive souls coming together in a stressed-out New York City.

Through the bog of clichés in director/co-writer Alejandro G. Monteverde's melodrama, the flinty reality of Blanchard's performance shines.

Bella turns out to be a clumsy message movie, one that leaves a lingering bad taste, whatever your beliefs regarding its highly divisive subject, abortion.

Bella is a (...) parable of remorse and redemption, a tale of two damaged souls who end up helping each other find release from their tragic pasts.