Real Women Have Curves (2002)

83% of critics liked it
(83 reviews)
72% of users liked it
(10,334 ratings)

In this independent drama, Ana (America Ferrera) is a bright and ambitious 18-year-old Latina who has just graduated from high school in East Los Angeles. Ana wants to broaden her horizons and go on to college, but her mother Carmen (Lupe Ontiveros) has other ideas; Ana's older sister Estela (Ingrid… More In this independent drama, Ana (America Ferrera) is a bright and ambitious 18-year-old Latina who has just graduated from high school in East Los Angeles. Ana wants to broaden her horizons and go on to college, but her mother Carmen (Lupe Ontiveros) has other ideas; Ana's older sister Estela (Ingrid Oliu) oversees the family business, a dress factory, and Carmen has decided that Ana should put higher education on hold and go to work as a seamstress. When Estela loses four employees in a week, Ana reluctantly agrees to take a job at the factory to help her out, while she applies for college scholarships without her mother's knowledge. Ana's job at the dress factory proves to be a real eye opener; she gains a new respect for Estela's business acumen, but is also appalled by the low wages and unpleasant working conditions that are part and parcel of the garment industry. While Ana is not unattractive, she carries more than a few extra pounds, a subject her mother mentions at every available opportunity, and as Ana encourages her co-workers at the shop to stand up for themselves and gain a greater perspective of their own worth, she takes a long hard look at her own self-image. Real Women Have Curves won the Audience Award at the 2002 Sundance Film Festival, while actresses America Ferrera and Lupe Ontiveros received a Special Jury Prize at the same festival for their performances. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

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Rating, Runtime: PG-13, 1 hr. 33 min.
Directed By: Patricia Cardoso
Written By: Josefina Lopez, George LaVoo
Genres: Drama, Art House & International, Comedy

In Theaters: Oct 18, 2002 Limited
On DVD: Apr 22, 2003
Studio: HBO Films

Critic Reviews

Jay Boyar, Orlando Sentinel
It's so underwritten that you can't figure out just where the other characters, including Ana's father and grandfather, come down on the issue of Ana's future.
Susan Stark, Detroit News
Real Women Have Curves is nowhere near a great film, but it is the most distinctive and appealing of entertainments.
Ann Hornaday, Washington Post
A vivid cinematic portrait.
Desson Thomson, Washington Post
You watch for that sense of openness, the little surprises.
Robert Denerstein, Denver Rocky Mountain News
Funny and touching.
Carrie Rickey, Philadelphia Inquirer
What's most refreshing about Real Women Have Curves is its unforced comedy-drama and its relaxed, natural-seeming actors.
Heather Boerner, Common Sense Media
Ugly Betty star captivates in teen drama.
Michael Dequina, TheMovieReport.com
However conventional the film sometimes is, it always feels true to life, thanks to in largest part to the actresses.
Prairie Miller, WBAI Web Radio
Filled with vividly etched scenes of the Latina garment workers toiling away, underpaid for the overpriced Bloomingdales bound dresses they could never afford nor fit into.
Niki Patton, Martha's Vineyard Times (Massachusetts)
One of the best things about "Real Women" is exactly that %u2013 the real sized women (and men) who fill out this endearing coming-of-age story with a physical and emotional robustness that puts the Hollywood size-three's to shame.
Pablo Villaca, Cinema em Cena
Divertido, sensível, bem dirigido e abençoado por ótimas atuações, o filme só falha ao subestimar espectador, explicitando uma mensagem que se beneficiaria da sutileza.
Brian Gibson, Vue Weekly (Edmonton, Canada)
This strong little independent film packs more colour and life into its trim 86 minutes than many puffed-up blockbusters can stuff into two hours.
Urban Cinefile Critics, Urban Cinefile
Cardoso has clearly connected with Josefina Lopez' work (originally a stage play based on her own experiences) and found something to say without making it either a feminist or a fatty tract.
Mark Robison, Reno Gazette-Journal
It's just an honest, funny, touching story about a teen-age girl who tries to find her way after graduating high school.
Ed Gonzalez, Slant Magazine
Certainly not the best film ever made but it's definitely something for the Latin community to be proud of.
Joshua Tanzer, Offoffoff
Real movies have characters, but not Real Women Have Curves, a fiasco of dopey characters and clumsy script.

Read all 16 critic reviews

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Featured Audience Ratings

Jim H

A young woman rebels against her mother in order to gain independence and a better life. These days there is a lot of talk about the American Dream with politicians bandying about the term with little critical insight and the late, great George Carlin saying, "They call it that… More
A young woman rebels against her mother in order to gain independence and a better life. These days there is a lot of talk about the American Dream with politicians bandying about the term with little critical insight and the late, great George Carlin saying, "They call it that because you have to be asleep to believe it.;" But this is a film with its eyes wide open and a focused, almost myopic support of the possibilities that still remain for this nation's under-represented. America Ferrera's performance as a focused, determined woman who is torn by her tradition-worshiping mother and her dreams of going to college is quite strong, and we quickly gain an admiring respect for the character as Ferrera embodies her. Likewise, the antagonist, played by Lupe Ontiveros, is believable as being able to combine love, fear, and manipulation in a single action. These are two fine actresses giving strong performances. Though the film is able to celebrate women without demonizing men, there are nonetheless structural flaws. Director Patricia Cardoso tries to add Latin music to smooth out the film's transitions, but the scenes are unevenly short and episodic. Also, we never see much development in Ana's character. It is as though she either wakes up or starts the movie ready to give a school assembly speech to young girls about the importance of self-esteem, use of condoms, and higher education. Thus, she becomes a one-dimensional character and a mouthpiece for the director and screenwriters. Nothing she says is objectionable, but a film so invested in character should allow us more insight into her journey. Overall, there's no reason not to show this film to every teenager in the country, regardless of ethnicity or size, but there are many reasons not to show it in film school.
Red L

I enjoyed the movie. It portrays the struggle of many first generation immigrants, although the mother's resistance to her daughter going to college is unusual. America Ferrera does a great job.
Randy T

This film does what most other so-called "chick-flicks" couldn't do. It celebrates women without bashing men. Yes, the male roles are secondary, but they're all moral, upstanding, intelligent characters that are supportive of Ana. <i>Real Women Have… More
This film does what most other so-called "chick-flicks" couldn't do. It celebrates women without bashing men. Yes, the male roles are secondary, but they're all moral, upstanding, intelligent characters that are supportive of Ana. <i>Real Women Have Curves</i> may be intended primarily for female audiences, but it's one that guys can watch without feeling belittled or apologetic.
Leigh R

Beautiful.
Lenny M

Coming of age of a chicana, put together very well.
Megan S

it was good, but too short and cutesy really. and it seemed to be a bit rushed at the end.
Erin C

This movie was really cute. Very inspiring!
Janice :

Cute and inspiring. I can see why America Ferrera was singled out after playing Ana in this film, a character that manages to touch its audience in every possible way. America delivers a fine performance alongside Lupe Ontiveros, Ana's invading mother. I must point out that… More
Cute and inspiring. I can see why America Ferrera was singled out after playing Ana in this film, a character that manages to touch its audience in every possible way. America delivers a fine performance alongside Lupe Ontiveros, Ana's invading mother. I must point out that both share an amaaazing amount of chemistry which makes the film even more believable. Worth many viewings.
Sunil J

America Ferrara is pretty great in this girl power mother/daughter movie.
Leo L

Great movie about an interesting issue amongst women. *LOL*
FanGirl B

I should have liked this more than I did. I like the message, but I didn't care for the movie.