In the wake of a trio of films with life-affirming messages--Juno, Waitress and, more subtly, Knocked Up--a fourth is set to make its debut in Canada after having an impact south of the border.

Bella is scheduled for release between mid-March and the first week of April in virtually every major city in Canada including Toronto, where it captured the People’s Choice Award at the Toronto International Film Festival last fall.

A production of Metanoia Films, Bella is being promoted as “a heartwarming story about friendship, family and our capacity for love in the face of the unexpected.” It tells an unconventional tale about a young unmarried woman, who discovers she’s pregnant, and her friend who makes sacrifices for her and convinces her to have the baby.

Nina (Tammy Blanchard) is an unwed restaurant waitress who gets fired from her job the morning she confirms she’s pregnant, only to have the restaurant’s best cook, Jose (Eduardo Verástegui), abandon his own duties to hang out with her throughout the day, giving the young woman emotional support and gently trying to persuade her to keep the baby.

Released Oct. 27, 2007, in the United States, the movie has grossed $7.7 million on a production budget of $3.3 million and has drawn rave viewer reviews, although those of critics have not been as kind.  

At the popular www.BoxOfficeMojo.com movie website, Bella was ranked third among users for all films released in 2007, while achieving 79-percent “A” grades. At another prominent movie site, www.RottenTomatoes.com , the film received a 96-percent approval rating from users. Leading critics are giving the movie just a 35-percent approval rating, however, calling it “a sweet, but ultimately pedestrian, drama.”

The response so far has been “just amazing,” said producer Leo Severino. “It’s been blowing away expectations for such a tiny film on such a small budget. … It’s going strong.”

Severino said he is hoping for a strong opening weekend in Canada so that his movie will be able to expand to other Canadian theatres.

Metanoia Films is dedicated to creating movies that can inspire and uplift people and uphold human dignity, according to the producer.

Bella “has the potential to touch many hearts and to transform, if not save, many lives,” said Severino. He claims that at least 13 women have so far opted to cancel scheduled abortion appointments after viewing the film.

“That’s the beauty of working with people who are on board with the same mission — we want to make films that not only entertain, but also engage, inspire and make a difference in a positive way. If the U.S. is a gauge of some of the fruits that are possible with this film, then literally, lives can be saved in Canada if this film gets out to a broad audience.”

For theatre listings, see www.bellamoviesite.com