Studio: Hbo Home Video Release Date: 09/26/2006 Run time: 86 minutes Rating: Pg13

While My Big Fat Greek Wedding broke box-office records in 2002, Real Women Have Curves did a better job of keeping it real. Set in the vibrant environs of East Los Angeles, with a breakthrough performance by Latina newcomer America Ferrera, this comedic drama takes a familiar subject--a bright teenager struggling to define her identity--and turns it into an authentic celebration of feminine empowerment. Eighteen-year-old Ana (Ferrera) has scholarship potential, her first boyfriend, and a chubby figure that her similarly overweight mother (Lupe Ontiveros, perfectly cast) won't stop harping about. Mom insists that Ana work in her sister's dressmaking sweatshop, continuing a family tradition that can only break her spirit. How Ana defies this fate--and how director Patricia Cardoso captures the proud tenacity of several full-figured seamstresses--is what makes this film (adapted from a play by Josefina Lopez) so uniquely refreshing. Greek Wedding made more money, but Real Women--which is just as funny--makes a lot more sense. --Jeff Shannon

This movie had a good idea for a story, but did not follow through on many aspects. The main character is a high school graduate who is not going to college, because of her family (she needs to stay behind and help them, though only the mother seems to believe this, so it does not seem to be too much of a problem). Like the college "problem" many of the problems in the plot are seemingly easy to fix and or not explained, fixed, and instead, are just accepted. She has to work at her sister's sweat shop for the summer, first she is angry, but she does nothing to not work there, nor does she really help out the family situation, either. Her sister makes her a pretty dress, but the audience never gets to see her in it. The whole movie seems anti-climatic, but puts emphasis on areas that seem as if they are climatic. Certain scenes are drawn out with music and scenery, which take up minutes of the movie's time and have no real purpose, for any meaning I can take for them further pull away from the movie actually have a core point instead of many random bits with no real purpose.

The movie was bleh. The acting in it was good, for the most part. George Lopez was slightly unbelievable as a serious teacher. The sets and props were interesting, better than expected. The music was a bit ridiculous at points, following the script except lyrically in Spanish.

I did appreciate the idea of real women having curves, and the message of women wanting to be seen for more than their looks. They want to be seen as capable without just being in a position because of their face. One scene reminded me of the new Dove commercials where any woman can be beautiful. But, I still feel than there is the whole health issue, too, and to purposefully go against the pure and beautiful aspect to make yourself the opposite does nothing but hurt yourself in the long-run and is a self-destructive behavior (but that could just be my opinion). I like the idea of liking yourself for who you are, but at times the main character seemed to be unhappy with herself and that was not addressed, though her behavior showed the opposite.

Overall, I felt the movie tried too hard to do too much and pretty much failed. I gave it three stars, because there were parts I did enjoy. But, I will not willingly attempt to watch this movie again or recommend it for someone to watch if they have nothing better to do.

I love this movie, it's become one of my favorite movies to watch. America Ferrera is a great actress in movies and on T.V. such as Ugly Betty.

This movie is so great! I absolutley love it! One of America Ferrera's best films, and all the other actors are fabulous as well!

**** 2002. Based on Josefina Lopez's Real Women Have Curves, this film was directed by the Colombian director Patricia Cardoso. Two prizes in Sundance. Los Angeles. Ana has just finished high school. As though she's got the opportunity to go to a famous university, her family wants her to work in her sister's factory as a dressmaker. This dramatic comedy is a little jewel of sensibility. You won't find in it serious thoughts about integration in the U.S. but rather light commentaries about life as it is. Highly recommended.

After looking at some of the other Amazon reviews I'm wondering if I should try and come up with anything critical - and, although the themes and issues are broadly drawn, I just don't have the heart. This is a wonderful movie. I laughed, my heart was warmed, and I love the messages. I'd never heard of Real Women Have Curves until happening upon it at the library. I hope more women, especially women with any doubts about themselves, get to see it. And although the ending was a little disappointing (for some reason I thought Ana would help lead the workers out of the sweatshop and into a more lucrative business catering to full-figured women), I believe it's the more realistic one. Estupendo!