Rating: 
Summary: For the Romantically Inclined - in All of Us
Review: A WEDDING FOR BELLA (aka THE BREAD, MY SWEET) is lovely little low budget film that demonstrates how tender the heart can be without the need for big time stars or production values. This film as directed by Melissa Martin reminds us that quiet slices of life in middle America have as much if not more cinematic validity that the big blockbusters. Briefly, Dominic (a very fine Scott Baio!) and his two brothers are bakers and have adopted an older couple (Bella portrayed with understated simplicity and warmth by Rosemary Prinz and Massimo portrayed by John Seitz) as family. Dominic wears two hats: he is a successful businessman in the mid Pittsburgh district but spends as much time with his brothers in the family bakery. Dominic and Bella are especially close and when it is discovered that Bella has terminal cancer, Dominic sets out to find her 'estranged' daughter Lucca (Kristin Minter) who everybody thinks is an unloving carefree beatnik in Mexico. Lucca arrives and with her comes the truth - that she graduated Law School with honors, was disillusioned, left Pittsburgh to be in the Peace Corps to help others, became disillusioned and ended up selling junk art to tourists in Mexico. Her reason for return is not in response to Dominic's pleas (she never got the messages), but to her own need to reunite with the mother whom she adores. Bella's secret wish is that Lucca be happily married and have children, but she also is a wise enough mother to know that her daughter must choose her own life. Dominic decides that the thing that would make Bella happy before she succumbs to her cancer is for Dominic and Lucca to marry! Their intentions thrill Bella and the 'extended family' all concentrate on the energies of wedding preparation to offset Bella's impending demise. The way this all plays out in the end is the meaningful part and to reveal that would not be fair. Suffice it to say that the actors carry off multiple levels of interpersonal relationships, touching on the comedy, the tragedy and the warmth of these marvelous Italian American characters. Yes, the film wears its heart on its sleeve, but who's to say that is wrong? A feel good movie of taste and promise.
Rating: 
Summary: You must see this movie!
Review: Admittedly, I am a little biased writing this review. My brother and his wife are both in this movie. They do community theater in Pittsburgh and were lucky enough to land small parts in this wonderful film. Anyway, even if I am biased, you still must see this movie!! It is wonderful. I NEVER cry at movies, but I did with this one. The story is beautiful and the scenes around Pittsburgh are great. On top of that, my brother was in it! What more could I ask for?
Rating:
Summary: "The Bread, My Sweet"
Review: An absolutely beautiful story and an even better work of art. The cast is superb and the city of Pittsburgh is shown at its best. You CANNOT go wrong with this one.
Rating:
Summary: What a surprise
Review: Based upon the reviews I read on Amazon, I decided to take a chance and buy the DVD. I have now watched it three times and have been moved even more with each viewing. It is a tender and beautiful story, one that makes you cry and lifts your spirits all in the same moment. All of the characters touched my heart. My only complaint about the DVD is that there are no subtitles and I have been unable to discern some of the dialogue. That aside, this is a movie worth watching (over and over again). What an absolute gem!
Rating:
Summary: "Wedding" worth going to
Review: Call it "My Big Fat Italian Wedding," but with more love, bittersweetness, family feeling, and pastry. "A Wedding for Bella" or "The Bread, My Sweet" has a big heart, narrowly avoiding the oversweetness of such movies. It's a romantic comedy, a tragedy, and a warm tale about family.
Domi (Scott Baio) is a corporate bigwig by day, but owns a bakery that he runs with his two brothers. He has also "adopted" an elderly Italian couple, the grumpy Massimo (John Seitz) and loving Bella (Rosemary Prinz). But one day Bella takes Domi to the hospital, revealing that she has terminal cancer. But she orders him not to tell anyone -- because "I no gonna start dying until I'm ready." But she obviously wishes she could see her wayward daughter Lucca (Kristin Minter) be married.
So Domi quietly tries to contact Lucca, only to have her turn up at Christmas dinner. Within a day, he proposes to her -- just so Bella can see her daughter be married, even if he expects Lucca to go her own way once her mother is dead. Lucca and Domi start awkwardly getting to know one another, all the time hoping that Bella will live to see them wed.
A lot of movies would have lapsed into silly cliches. But as someone of Italian ancestry, I can say honestly that a lot of Italians are like the people of this film: they "got a scream," argue and insult, and yet they're generous and loving to everybody. And love food. Even the broken English Bella and Massimo speak never crosses the line into parody.
But what makes "A Wedding for Bella" so enchanting is that it's not just about a wedding or romance. It's also about love and family, and about living your life to the fullest. It's impossible not to be moved as Bella states that she's going to keep living -- not just surviving -- for as long as possible, and tries to do that. And somehow, this movie manages to do it without sinking into sticky-sweetness.
The story mainly focuses on the very weird courtship between Lucca and Domi, and again it manages not to be soppy or cliched -- one scene has them exchanging questionnaires and information. It's awkward, and it's supposed to be. But even with terminal illnesses and faux weddings, "Wedding" has comedy too, such as the three brothers and Massimo goofing around at the tux fitting.
The star performance of this is undoubtedly Prinz as the dying Bella. She exudes warmth, kindness and a quiet strength. It's easy to see why everyone loves her. There are also stellar performances from Baio and Minter, who make the transition from self-arranged fiancees to lovers believable, and Seitz, who gives the crabby Massimo plenty of heart. And "Van Helsing's" Shuley Hensley gives the most underrated performance of the film as Domi's retarded brother, who loves Bella dearly.
"A Wedding for Bella" ("The Bread, My Sweet") a story about celebrating life, and about love -- between lovers, spouses, and brothers. This tiny film is like bread -- good in every way.
Rating:
Summary: A True Tear Jerker with Heart
Review: First off, I never though about writing a review but this film was so good I want everyone to put this on thier MUST HAVES. You will laugh. You will cry. You will watch it over and over. The story line of love goes much more then romance but, of family. In an age of mega bucks movies thrown together for effects, its great to find a jewel where you can feel real passon for the characters. Truly a winner! PS and anyone from pgh will love the shots of town.
Rating:
Summary: You don't have to be Italian
Review: Having three times viewed this excellent film on the big screen, I have to say that no movie in recent years has done so well on an obviously small budget. I found the acting to be outstanding. Scott Baio, until this film, has not had an opportunity to show his dramatic skills. The authentic locations captured with cimematographic excellence, show Pittsburgh, PA to great advantage. I have been awaiting the DVD release, hoping it will
allow for the broad exposure the film deserved. This is a perfect movie for anyone who has ever wanted to fall in love, or did fall in love, or anyone who has ever cared about anyone else.
It should have been released in wide screen, but it is one film I will add to my library that is panned and scanned. By the way, my brother in law, who thought the Legend of the Lone Ranger was a masterpiece, did not enjoy this film. Does that help you?
Rating:
Summary: wonderfully surprising !!!
Review: I had hoped this would be a light romantic film and the critic's reviews were certainly encouraging but it was wonderfully surprising. All of the cast were terrific but in particular Scott Baio, Kristen Minter and Rosemary Prinz. It had a very real touch to the script and direction. Incredibly well done, one of the greatest unknown gem's you'll ever find.
Rating: 
Summary: Simple and sweet ... nothing more, nothing less
Review: I have to admit I am surprised at the 5 star ratings for this film. Despite the fact it went straight to video in Australia, "A Wedding for Bella" satisfies if you are after a straight-forward storyline with no complexities involved. This type of storyline has been done before, so there is nothing groundbreaking here. A simple and sweet film ... and I can see why it skipped the cinemas.
Rating:
Summary: Simple and sweet ... nothing more, nothing less
Review: I have to admit I am surprised at the 5 star ratings for this film. Despite the fact it went straight to video in Australia, "A Wedding for Bella" satisfies if you are after a straight-forward storyline with no complexities involved. This type of storyline has been done before, so there is nothing groundbreaking here. A simple and sweet film ... and I can see why it skipped the cinemas.
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