Anya's Bell

Today was the second time I've been able to see this movie; I would see it, and recommend it, to anyone very highly! I haven't been able to find it on either VHS or DVD; however, when it does become available, I will be sure to add it to my video library!

I particularly enjoyed the performances of Della Reese and Mason Gamble. The rough beginning of their friendship rang a bell, if you'll forgive me this bon mot, in an experience I had as a lad. Watching their friendship grow, with the resulting deepening of their trust and love of each other, I felt a warmth that I haven't felt in years!

That this movie is "formula driven" does not matter - it is the way this story is told that makes it worth-while to watch. The cinematograpy, music, costumes, continuity were exceptional!

One final comment: It was refreshing to see a movie where no one was blasted into their component parts; where the strongest language used was "Dang!", (which is NOT a real "swear word"!), no blatant sexual content - in other words, a movie of a bygone age - a type of movie we could all enjoy!

One of those rare feel good films, no action, no swearing, no sex, just a family movie that tackles two subjects together in a film for the first time. The chemistry and interaction between Della Reese, and Mason Gamble is first class, and I challenge anyone to resist shedding a tear in the last 10 minutes.

Della has a long resume, and her gift as an actress allows her to pull off a difficult role, which shows how the world can hold so much fear for someone without sight. Young Mason has a future ahead of him in films, if he keeps his feet on the ground through his teens, and continues to put in performances as good as this.

I thought this movie, "Anya's Bell", was amazing. Absolutely brilliant.

I was looking through the channels on my Digital, and saw that on the Hallmark channel yesterday a movie called "Anya's Bell" was showing. I thought "This sounds okay" so I began to watch it. I must admit that at the start I sighed and thought "Not another TV Movie like this" but as it went on I found it great and really hooking. I think this was due to Della Reese's acting, and the character, Anya, that she plays. She done an excellent job and I doubt the movie would be so good if Della Reese weren't in it. At times I felt myself filling up just thinking about the complete situation- Especially when Anya started screaming on the Ferris Wheel or when she crosses the road- It was so touching and sad. I almost cried at the ending- But I'll leave you to watch it and find out.

10/10 for this movie, as I loved it so much. I would highly recommend this movie to anyone of any age.

"Anya's Bell" was somewhat disappointing in how the story was quite predictable, from beginning to end, but thankfully I was very happy (or sad if you will) to discover that it still managed to do what it's supposed to: jerk around the tear canals, and it does so very well.

But then again it's hard to go wrong when you got Della Reese, one of the best African American actresses of her generation and Mason Gamble, one of the best Caucasian child actors of his generation. They make such a wonderful and touching pair I would have liked to see them in an entire mini-series exploring their unique relationship even more so, and following them through several years (all though it would probably be physically impossible with a 13 year old in one of the leads).

Very formulaic but still very beautiful, touching and heartwarming, and a TV-movie not easily forgotten.

And what a touching last scene, when Scott makes sure Anya will always be with him, flying like the wind...

It's kind of odd, because movies that I can predict usually bore me. And I can honestly say that I figured what was going to happen to Anya by about half way through the movie. DESPITE this, the movie didn't cease to make me smile. And at the end, I even cried. Della Reese's performance is spectacular, with good supporting actors and actresses. A *VERY* good movie!