Coming up on its twentieth anniversary, the movie was perhaps ahead of its time with its authentic, at times very funny portrayal of a Latinx family in a Los Angeles little seen on the big screen, and body-positive messaging right in the title.

| Jul 29, 2024

There is not one moment in this delightful film that isn't believable. And even though you'll find yourself taking sides when the characters disagree, you're bound to like them all.

| Original Score: 4/4 | Sep 10, 2021

Newcomer Ferrera and the veteran Ontiveros (a legend in Latino acting circles) mesh wonderfully. Both exude energy, and their interactions appear relaxed and spontaneous.

| Original Score: 3/4 | Sep 10, 2021

It frequently doesn't work, but a number of other virtues compensate for the awkward stretches. Newcomer America Ferrera counts as one.

| Sep 10, 2021

Everything is spelt out and underlined.

| Sep 10, 2021

Cardoso's movie is an equally admirable peek at Latino culture that will likely be remembered as Ferrera's debut and not much else. Judging from her performance here, that will be enough.

| Original Score: B | Sep 10, 2021

Rich in realistic atmosphere, Real Women has honest appeal. It's a potent parent-child story as well as an insightful look into an important, growing subculture.

| Original Score: B+ | Sep 10, 2021

Some pieces of the plot feel dishonest, others contrived, but this 2002 feature also has some nicely observed details and plenty of good messages.

| Sep 10, 2021

Ontiveros works hard to invest the stock nagging-mother role with humanity and sly humor Unfortunately, her character is far from the only clichéd element in the story. In fact, most of the movie has been assembled from spare parts.

| Original Score: 2.5/4 | Sep 10, 2021

The story is trite, but the acting is lively and the music is delightful.

| Sep 10, 2021

[America Ferrera's] scenes with her mother, the excellent Lupe Ontiveros, ring true, and if the film occasionally betrays its roots as a made-for-온라인카지노추천 movie, then it's still a fresh and pacy piece.

| Sep 10, 2021

A sincere but plodding rites-of-passage story.

| Sep 10, 2021

A good-natured movie.

| Sep 10, 2021

Real Women Have Curves, Patricia Cardoso's tale of a Mexican girl torn between a sweatshop job and a place in college, is a sharp antidote to the dead-on-arrival teen fantasy.

| Sep 10, 2021

It's all handled with a deft touch, thanks to a spirited performance by America Ferrera as Ana and a prickly (but amusing) one by Lupe Ontiveros.

| Original Score: A | Sep 9, 2021

Patricia Cardoso's debut feature has a good heart, a pure spirit and a smart young Mexican-American heroine, Ana Garcia (a newcomer named America Ferrera).

| Sep 9, 2021

[Lupe] Ontiveros imbues Carmen with an internal struggle that makes her just sympathetic enough not to be a cartoon.

| Original Score: 3/4 | Sep 8, 2021

There's a lot to like in this coming-of-age story.

| Original Score: B- | Sep 8, 2021

In the thankless role of Ana's much older sister, Estella, the clothing factory owner, Ingrid Oliu gives a noble performance, quietly conveying her admiration and envy for her self-assured younger sibling.

| Original Score: 3/4 | Sep 8, 2021

Firmly entrenched in Mexican American culture without the insistent need to be about the culture, it's one of the best Latino films ever made.

| Original Score: 4/4 | Sep 8, 2021