Real Women Have Curves (2002)

In East Los Angeles, an 18-year-old struggles between her ambitions of going to college and the desires of her domineering mother for her to get married, have children, and oversee the small, rundown family-owned textile factory.

Director:

Patricia Cardoso

Writers:

Josefina Lopez (play), George LaVoo (teleplay)

Stars:

America Ferrera, Lupe Ontiveros, Ingrid Oliu

8 wins & 4 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
America Ferrera	...	Ana Garcia
Lupe Ontiveros	...	Carmen Garcia
Ingrid Oliu	...	Estela Garcia
George Lopez	...	Mr. Guzman
Brian Sites	...	Jimmy
Soledad St. Hilaire	...	Pancha
Lourdes Perez Nido	...	Rosali (as Lourdes Perez)
Jorge Cervera Jr.	...	Raúl Garcia
Felipe de Alba	...	Grandfather
José Gerardo Zamora Jr.	...	Juan José
Edgar Lujan	...	Juan Martin
Lina Acosta	...	Norma
Celina Belizan	...	Glitz Receptionist (as Celina Belazin)
Ramona Garcia Coronado	...	Singing Woman
Marlene Forte	...	Mrs. Glass

Storyline

This is the story of Ana, a first generation Mexican-American teenager on the verge of becoming a woman. She lives in the predominately Latino community of East Los Angeles. Freshly graduated from high school, Ana receives a full scholarship to Columbia University. Her very traditional, old-world parents feel that now is the time for Ana to help provide for the family, not the time for college. Torn between her mainstream ambitions and her cultural heritage she agrees to work with her mother at her sister's downtown LA sewing factory. Over the summer she learns to admire the hardworking team of women who teach her solidarity and teamwork. Still at odds with what her mother expects of her, Ana realizes that leaving home to continue her education is essential to finding her place proudly in the world as an American and Chicana.

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Plot Keywords:

united states | usa | factory | mexican american | latino | 

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Taglines:

Real women take chances, have flaws, embrace life...

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Genres:

Comedy | Drama

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG-13 for sexual content and some language

Did You Know?

Trivia

Was selected for preservation in the National Film Registry by the Library of Congress, who deemed it "culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant" in 2019.

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Goofs

The photograph of Ana that is tucked into Carmen's bedroom mirror disappears and reappears between shots in the final scene.

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Quotes

Pancha: Like my grandmother used to say, "There's no better dressing than meat on bones."

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Connections

Referenced in Conan: On This Day, a Chump Was Born (2011)

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Soundtracks

Que Rico El Mambo
Written by Dámaso Pérez Prado
Performed by Dámaso Pérez Prado and his Orchestra
Courtesy of BMG Special Products

User Reviews

America The Beautiful

REAL WOMEN HAVE CURVES (2002) ***1/2 America Ferrera, Lupe Ontiveros, Ingrid Oliu, George Lopez, Brian Sites, Soledad St. Hilaire, Dale E. Turner. Above average indie diamond in the rough slice of life portrayal of a Mexican American teenager (Ferrara in a remarkable acting debut) trying to cope with her dream to attend college and her quarrelsome relationship with her loving but problematic mother (Ontiveros who gives a beautifully modulated turn) whose own insecurities and frustrations are taken out on her zaftig daughter. Funny, poignant and ultimately a triumph in full-bodied (no pun intended) protagonists without compromising it's clear headed vision of how society and culture myopically decides what is pleasant to the eye (or acceptable for that matter). Finally a film that portrays Latinos in a positive light by not making it a ‘racial film' either. The screenplay by George LaVoo and Josefina Lopez (adapting her play) offers insight to familiar subject matter but with a refreshing focus on character development by not compromising it's strong message: to accept one self is to love one self. (Dir: Patricia Cardoso)

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English Spanish

Release Date:

8 November 2002 (USA)

Also Known As:

Real Women Have Curves

Filming Locations:

Boyle Heights, Los Angeles, California, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$3,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$183,772, 20 October 2002

Gross USA:

$5,853,194

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$7,777,790

Company Credits

Production Co:

HBO Films, Newmarket Films, LaVoo Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

90 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1