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America Ferrera, Lupe Ontiveros, Ingrid Oliu, George Lopez, Brian Sites ... see more see more... , Jorge Cervera Jr. , Felipe de Alba , Soledad St. Hilaire , Lourdes Pérez , Jose Gerardo Zamora Jr. , Manuel Edgar Lujan , Sandie Torres , Michelle Moretti

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 t... read more read more...o 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

Flixster Users

72% liked it

10,334 ratings

Critics

83% liked it

83 critics

PG-13, 1 hr. 33 min.

Directed by: Patricia Cardoso

Release Date: October 18, 2002

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DVD Release Date: April 22, 2003

Stats: 696 reviews

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Flixster Reviews (696)

  • hunterjt13
    May 30, 2011
    hunterjt13
    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 b... read moreecause 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.
  • Redlats
    August 20, 2009
    Redlats
    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.
  • flixsterman
    April 22, 2009
    flixsterman
    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. Real Women Have Curves may be intended pr... read moreimarily for female audiences, but it's one that guys can watch without feeling belittled or apologetic.
  • dreamfaeries
    August 6, 2008
    dreamfaeries
    Beautiful.
  • Chiefilms
    March 1, 2008
    Chiefilms
    Coming of age of a chicana, put together very well.
  • purplemegan
    February 9, 2007
    purplemegan
    it was good, but too short and cutesy really. and it seemed to be a bit rushed at the end.
  • irisheyes686
    October 17, 2009
    irisheyes686
    This movie was really cute. Very inspiring!
  • Parannoyed
    May 20, 2009
    Parannoyed
    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 bot... read moreh share an amaaazing amount of chemistry which makes the film even more believable.
    Worth many viewings.
  • SunilJawahir
    March 25, 2009
    SunilJawahir
    America Ferrara is pretty great in this girl power mother/daughter movie.
  • ileo
    December 10, 2007
    ileo
    Great movie about an interesting issue amongst women. *LOL*

View All Real Women Have Curves Reviews

Critic Reviews

Jay Boyar
November 21, 2002
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
November 15, 2002
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
November 15, 2002
Ann Hornaday, Washington Post

A vivid cinematic portrait.

Desson Thomson
November 15, 2002
Desson Thomson, Washington Post

You watch for that sense of openness, the little surprises.

Robert Denerstein
November 15, 2002
Robert Denerstein, Denver Rocky Mountain News

Funny and touching.

Carrie Rickey
November 8, 2002
Carrie Rickey, Philadelphia Inquirer

What's most refreshing about Real Women Have Curves is its unforced comedy-drama and its relaxed, natural-seeming actors.

Ty Burr
November 8, 2002
Ty Burr, Boston Globe

[Ferrera] has the charisma of a young woman who knows how to hold the screen. Full Review

Bill Muller
November 8, 2002
Bill Muller, Arizona Republic

Given its winning story line and a terrific performance by newcomer America Ferrera in the lead, Real Women Have Curves could become the next My Big Fat Greek Wedding.

Eleanor Ringel Gillespie
November 7, 2002
Eleanor Ringel Gillespie, Atlanta Journal-Constitution

A real movie, about real people, that gives us a rare glimpse into a culture most of us don't know. Full Review

Carla Meyer
October 25, 2002
Carla Meyer, San Francisco Chronicle

A warm, funny family story that defies popular notions about immigrant families. Full Review

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

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Real Women Have Curves Trivia

  • What actress do these four films have in common? Real Women Have Curves Sisterhood of the Travelling Pants Lords of Dogtown Gotta Kick It Up  Answer »
  • True or False, America Ferarra's first movie was "Real Women have Curves"??  Answer »
  • In what movie does this line come from..." I've got chisme from the market?  Answer »
  • Which actress stars in Real Women Have Curves, Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants,Got to Kick it Up and Ugly Betty?  Answer »
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