Real Women Have Curves (2002)

This movie describes the relationship between Ana and her mother. It can accurately portrait the value of a traditional Mexican woman. In the movie, we can see that the expectation of Ana's mother is so different from Ana while Ana is a first generation American born Mexican. Ana's mother has a strong sense of family value and the expectation on a traditional Mexican woman. In a particular scene, Ana was taught by her mother how to "walk like a woman" while we can also relate the last scene that Ana walked like a woman in New York. The director of this movie tries to convey a message that "real women" do not need to be defined by the society. If you have curves, then you are a real woman.

I did like this film. It was a strong character driven story. The relationships with the women were very compelling. I could believe what I was seeing on screen for the most part and was able to start caring in what was happening from the beginning. I enjoyed the back and forth with Ana and her mother. I don't think it was over done in the telling of it. I heard in the director's commentary that the director was worried that the mother might have been played too heavy handed, but I think it work out fairly well.I particularly cared for the unresolved conclusions at the end of the picture, it was refreshing in how no punches were pulled. I think it was a very brave move. Overall all the women roles were strong, where the story suffered was the male roles were a little weak, everyone except the male teacher could have been played better. The dialogue with the boyfriend felt empty and wanting, there was no chemistry there or even a curious connection. The thought that anything happened there leaps a great chasm of disbelief. As far as the father and grandfather were concerned I thought that they were merely place holders. And sadly so because I felt nothing. The film never fleshed that relationship out and likewise was insufficient reason for Ana to stay in LA. This was a major flaw in the story, the fact that there were not enough reasons why Ana should stay where she was.

The movie Real Women Have Curves starring America Ferrera is a moving and authentic look at the pressures pulling on Mexican immigrants as well as many overweight Americans. The movie shows us Ana Garcia's life during the summer after she graduates high school. Ana goes to work in her sister's dressmaking factory for the summer while she deals with applying to Columbia University, her overbearing mother and her new boyfriend. All these elements are boiled together in a broth of cultural and generational divide. Ana not only deals with a cultural gap wrenching her on both sides; one to her Mexican heritage, the other to fitting in to American ways of life but also with the generational gap common to all children and their parents. Ana's mother takes out the frustration of her older daughter's singleness on Ana and pressures her to lose weight so that she might better attract a husband. Yet Ana's life still transforms from one with little self esteem and self respect to one full of confidence and optimism for the future.As Ana's boyfriend boosts her confidence she simultaneously comes to realize how hard her family works, and how much they love her. Therefore the viewer is carried along with Ana as she overcomes her fears and successfully bridges the gap between her and her mother whilst also spanning the gap between Mexican culture and American Culture. Ana eventually overcomes her negative self image and recognizes herself as a beautiful person and realizes that every body is beautiful in and of itself. Ana's journey brings the viewer to confront their own stereotypes and misunderstandings about culture and weight. After watching this film the way we view people in America is proved to be misguided, everyone can learn from Ana's passage from self doubt to self respect.Along the way we meet many characters who impact Ana's life in one way or another, some positively, some negatively. Each character has a purpose and proves that the way we view and treat others makes a difference whether we realize it or not. Real Women Have Curves is a very good movie for making us challenge what the media will have us believe, for giving us some food for thought and making us laugh a little on our way.This is an excellent movie that I would recommend for all teenagers and adults regardless of background or beliefs because it gives the viewer access to a perspective other than their own.

I was assigned to watch Real Women Have Curves for one of my college classes. So I popped it in and got comfortable. I enjoyed the scenery and the music. I did not enjoy Carmen, Ana's mother. I'm supposing that was just her character; but, wow. She's one hell of a mom. I've read other reviews of this movie and other people seem to enjoy the scene where Ana and the other factory workers strip down and show their scars to the others. Carmen gets upset and is astonished that none of them are ashamed to show their bodies. Ana proclaims, "This who we are. Real Women!" So is she saying skinner woman are not real? I was quite disturbed by this notion. By the end, I was upset. I know that this movie was supposed to make women of all types feel beautiful; but, it just made angry. Why are bigger women the only ones who are real? The movie was basically saying to me that if you can fit into a size 7(and I'm not saying I personally can) than you're not real. You're fake and you must starve yourself. Skinny women eat too, they might just have a faster metabolism. They're sorry. Needless to say, this movie disappointed me greatly.