Directed by Patricia Cardoso, “Real Women Have Curves” was released in 2002 starring America Ferrera, Lupe Ontiveros, and Ingrid Oliu.
Although the movie itself will be celebrating its 10-year anniversary in 2012, its message is relevant to females today and should be added to every woman’s movie playlist.
Focusing on a first generation Mexican-American high school graduate, Ana (America Ferrera) finds herself torn between her cultural guidelines and the opportunities that await her in New York.
As she silently struggles, weighing her options, Ana works in her sister’s clothing factory alongside her mother, sister, and family friends over the summer. Not only does working in the factory cause Ana to admire the strength of the women around her, but it also allows her to appreciate herself. Constantly surrounded by the pressures put on women in the Mexican culture including losing weight, and valuing physical beauty over intelligence, Ana comes to discover what beauty means to her.
The film not only teaches women about inner beauty, but through Ana’s character development, audiences gain a sense that life should not solely revolve around physical beauty and relationships, but about the worth of self discovery and what it means to be a woman.