Real Women Have Curves (2002) Movie Review

Real Women Have Curves is a refreshing little film that is coming of age story about the definition of a person's inner-beauty. Ana (Ferrera) is a recent high school graduate and the second daughter of a Mexican-American family in Los Angeles. Ana's mother, Carmen (Ontiveros) continuously nags her about her laziness, her weight and most of all her choices in life. Carmen is old school and has a different range of values, in which she believes that Ana must work, lose weight, get married, and have many children. Inspired by her English teacher (Lopez), Ana develops dreams of going off to college. However, her mother quickly shatters them and puts her to work in her sister's struggling "sweatshop" dress factory. Throughout the story, not only does a mother-daughter struggle and bond develops, but also an overall family unit is grown. Ana also finds gratitude from her new boyfriend Jimmy (Sites), as she begins to search for what is best for her future.

This a charming film that isn't too over the top with the overweight humor, like in Shallow Hal (2001), but the film is more of a tender drama. One can't help but to refer Real Women Have Curves to the great little indie that could, My Big Fat Greek Wedding (2002). However, the two films are each in a world of their own. Both search through the concepts of different cultural values with the Greeks and Mexican-Americans. Another similarity is the heroine is a daughter the family doesn't want to let go of.

Director Patricia Cardoso and her two writers (Josefina Lopez and George LaVoo) bring the story to life with originality, charisma, and personality. The characters in the film are very lovable, especially Ana's father and grandpa. Carmen is a type of character that at moments come across as very mean, but we still connect her because she is identifiable and real. Though the film could have been 20 minutes longer, Cardoso's pacing is poised. As director, she places the audience right into this family's home and lets the story unfold quickly. In reference to the film's originality, the dialogue is spoken in Spanish and English, which gives the film more culture authenticity. The plot is absorbing as well, and I think that all teenagers should see this film, even though the majority of them might not sit through it. I have heard some people (men actually) refer to Real Women Have Curves as a "chick" flick. Please do not listen to these references, because this film comes nowhere close to falling into that stereotypical category.

Outside of Maggie Gyllenhaal's great work in Secretary (2002), America Ferrera delivers the best performance by a young actress this year as Ana. There are times when she shows some lack of experience (this was her first role), but she stellar and most of all courageous. Lupe Ontervos gives an outstanding performance of range and gratuity as Ana's stubborn mother. Onitervos' work goes from emotional highs to lows instantaneously and she really shows her colors brightly. The rest of the actors of the film are pretty well cast also, which includes comedian George Lopez.

The conclusion of Real Women Have Curves has to be one of the most original and acceptable endings of any film this year. Some moviegoers might state that the ending wasn't suppose to end like it does, because the final ten minutes aren't a Hollywood ending, but a real one.

This little movie won me over quickly with its persuasive themes and cultural values. Real Women Have Curves won a Special Audience Award at this year's Sundance Film Festival and I have to admit that it is a crowd pleaser.