Movies

Thanks to a beautifully subtle script, equally subtle direction and brilliant performances from all the leads, Real Women Have Curves comes across as a superbly soulful and insightful slice of life. The always great Lupe Ontiveros is maddeningly tragic as the selfish mother who stubbornly refuses to see beyond her own needs, and America Ferrera blazes across the screen in blissful defiance - the smart girl who instinctively knows she's more than just the sum of her body parts and finds the strength inside herself to back up that belief with or without her mother's blessing. Kudos to everyone connected with this enlightened and enlightening movie.

A plus-sized Mexican-American teen(America Ferrera)is troubled between accepting a full scholarship to Columbia University and bowing to the pressure of her mother(Lupe Ontiveros)to work in the sewing sweatshop owned by her sister(Ingrid Oliu). The most memorable scene is no doubt when the half dozen or so workers in the sweatshop strip down to panties and bras in acceptance of their own bodies. George Lopez plays the teacher that helps make the scholarship possible. Also in the cast are Lourdes Perez and Felipe de Alba. Chick flick...duh, I guess so; but interesting anyway.

I saw this film when I was in an extremely vulnerable place during the Spring of 2002, when I was battling and just embarking on my journey to freedom from an eating disorder. It helped show me that women of all shapes and sizes can learn to appreciate themselves, regardless of their outward appearance - especially in light of the way society portrays how we are expected to look.I like the stand that Ana had in standing up against her mother, despite how it would be to be picked upon based on your outward appearance.I have only today ordered the DVD, as I feel it is one that I can watch time and time again.At the time of seeing this in the local Film Centre (for alternative films), I found it to be quite uplifting. Well worth viewing! Don't wait - go out and buy it now!