Real Women Have Curves is a 2002 American movie starring America Ferrera. Directed by Patricia Cardoso and produced by George LaVoo from a screenplay by LaVoo and Josefina Lopez (based on Lopez' play), it debuted at the Sundance Film Festival, where it won the Audience Award in addition to Special Jury Prizes for both Ferrera and Lupe Ontiveros. The screenplay won the coveted Humanitas Prize and the movie was selected by the National Board of Review for Special Recognition For Excellence In Filmmaking. The independent film earned over five million dollars and brought the previously-unknown Ferrera to the public's attention.

The coming-of-age plot revolves around Ana Garcia, a Mexican-American teenager living in an East Los Angeles barrio. While attending Beverly Hills High School, where she is an accomplished student, she works in near-sweatshop conditions in her sister's dress factory alongside her mother, Carmen (Ontiveros), who considers this to be her younger daughter's vocation. But Ana, encouraged by her teacher Mr. Guzman (George Lopez), has dreams of attending Columbia. Before achieving her goal, she must try to balance her mother's traditional view of women with her own contemporary ideas while dealing with self-image issues and exploring a new romantic relationship.

Mediocre. Some stuff of interest, but not much. Typical coming of age fluff. Interesting cultural twist, though. Authentic performance from the lead as well.

Doesn't amount to much, though... **/****