Real Women Have Curves

REVIEW
Rare is it that full figured girls grace the screen with pride and joy, which makes Cardoso’s comedy a brilliant breath of fresh air. The film tells the story of Ana (Ferrera), a high school senior at the cusp of adulthood. As she approaches graduation, a number of opportunities come her way, including the possibility of a prestigious college education. But she is bound by the chains of her overbearing mother (Ontiveros), who constantly tells her she’s too big and needs to join her sister in the sewing shop (read: sweatshop) where they make high quality dresses for low quality wages. The film follows Ana through a variety of awakenings, including a sense of self-acceptance and pride in her curvy body, good looks and intelligence. Both a smart and joyous feminist film statement, Real Women Have Curves only amplifies the unfortunate shortage of both ethnic and women’s films out there. Let’s hope this gem will help pave the way to more.