Real women have curves: analysis of the film

Movie -- Real Women Have Curves

Real Women Have Curves

Patricia Cardaso's 2002 motion picture "Real Women Have Curves" clearly distinguishes itself from the typical Hollywoodian films involving an individual belonging to a minority and a series of stereotypes relating to the respective individual. It proves that a film does not necessarily have to have a big budget in order to send the message its crew wants to send to the public. The audience is constantly intrigued and lured across the movie by eighteen-year-old Ana Garcia's life.

The location of the Garcia family is somewhat conventional, given that the masses expect to see Latinos living in low class neighborhoods in Los Angeles, right next to wealthy areas, expressing a very intense contrast. Ana is a brave young woman struggling to shape her life in accordance with her desires, and not with what her family expects from her. In spite of the fact that she has to play a complex role, America Ferrera triumphs heroically and manages to put across sincere acting without overstressing the public.

People are likely to be captivated by this film, thinking about it long after they left the cinema. The acting and the cinematography improves the feeling that this does not necessarily have to be a figment of imagination, as it is very likely for the events in the film to have happened in real life. However, because the acting is at times hectic and particular happenings in the film seem unlikely to happen in reality, parts of the public might feel that they have to involve more concentration in trying to figure it out. Most people's position on topics like overweight and discrimination based on ethnicity will be confronted by the action in this motion picture. Sure, it is wrong to have a biased perception, but Ana's behavior makes it virtually incredible to think about how differentiation is ignored by some.

Ana has no interest in hiding her flaws and she is aware that this is who she is and that she does not have to shape her ideas in accordance with what other people think of her. Ana does not hesitate to put across her thoughts, regardless of the circumstances. Even when she is with her lover in the bedroom and most people find it perfectly normal for her to be embarrassed (considering that she is a virgin, overweight, and a Latina), Ana proves that she does not believe in stereotypes.

While the acting appears to be sincere, the script makes it difficult for the audience to associate it with reality. Fairy-tale-like events are present throughout the movie and as the story advances some might get the feeling that they know what is going to happen in the next scene. Surprises are definitely not this film's strongpoint and whoever enjoys them might want to look away. Nonetheless, the acting and the story together compensate for the lack of tension and shock.

The movie shows how people are trapped because of their belonging to a particular group. Because of the insecurities they feel, individuals are unable to discover themselves and are thus likely to spend their whole lives feeling sorry for what they are. It takes only a small time for Ana to mature and realize that there is nothing wrong with her, whereas it is almost impossible for her mother to escape the prejudice she was taught during her lifetime. Even when she is presented with the opportunity of enjoying herself, Carmen prefers to leave her daughter and the rest of the factory workers.

While the movie follows Ana as she grows from a teenager into a woman, it also shows how her principles were unaltered by the environments she came across. Even with her strong determination, Ana is aware that she still has much to learn and is not reluctant to admit her lack of confidence when the circumstances ask for it.

Although there are several stereotypes in this movie, it is not directed at the ordinary public, who is fond of seeing happy endings the way they were accustomed to. Ana proves that she can become happy without leaving behind her particularities and embracing the life society promotes. She does not lose weight and she does not become white (in character) so as for the public to appreciate her. She nevertheless succeeds in getting the public positive reception with the fact that she loves what she is and is not embarrassed of it.