Breaking Down The Comic in 'Real Women Have Curves' by Patricia Cardoso

Introduction

Real Women Have Curves is an American comedy-drama shot in East Los Angeles. Directed by Patricia Cardoso, it was released in 2002. However, the play Real Women Have Curves, written by Josefina López, shares the same setting but was published six years before the movie, in 1996. One of the most significant differences is the plot.

Breaking Down the Comic in 'Real Women Have Curves' by Patricia Cardoso

The plot of the film centers around Ana, who struggles to fulfill her dream of going to college amidst her family's dire economic situation. Ana’s mother, Carmen, wants to keep the family close and make her work in their factory. As days pass, Ana grows into a confident woman and applies to Columbia University. Ana is seen breaking all the cultural and socioeconomic boundaries by having a boyfriend and seeking an independent life. Her father and sister support Ana. When she gets accepted to Columbia University and prepares to leave, Carmen, still holding traditional values, is not happy and does not meet Ana before her departure.

The Play's Perspective

On the other hand, the plot of the play revolves around Estella, Ana’s older sister and the factory owner. In the play, we learn about Estella's undocumented status and how she fears deportation whenever there is patrolling by the Immigration services (La Migra). The play is entirely set in the factory, allowing us to experience the problems faced there, as well as how women try to meet impossible deadlines to save Estella from deportation.

Comparative Analysis

When comparing both plots, they are entirely different from each other. Ana is the center of the plot in the movie, whereas Estella takes a more prominent role in the play. Furthermore, the film mainly focuses on Ana’s struggle to go to college. In contrast, in the play, that is just a small part, as it primarily highlights the problems faced by Estella. In the movie, there is no mention of Ana’s deportation concerns or the patrolling of immigration services, whereas it is one of the most highlighted events in the play. Additionally, the movie shows Ana’s relationship with her boyfriend, a subplot absent in the play. Instead, the play explores Estella’s relationship with her love, El Tormento.

The characters involved in the plot are different too. The father who supports Ana in the movie is merely mentioned as Carmen's husband in the play; other than that, he is not even referenced. Furthermore, Carmen's personality slightly differs between the two versions. She appears stricter about body image when all the women undress and compare their bodies in the movie, whereas she seems more lenient during the same scene in the play.

Contextual and Thematic Differences

Despite experiencing many differences between the movie and the play, it's essential to note the contextual themes. One of the most important issues in the 1990s, when the play was written, was sexual discrimination, making gender injustice a central theme. By the time the movie was produced, the Isle of Man had passed its first sex discrimination bill in 2001. It is plausible that the screenwriter deviated from the play's original focus to emphasize the importance of education for women by challenging cultural stereotypes. On the other hand, this shift could also be financially motivated. The play is intensely related to Latino problems, so to capture a diverse audience, the screenwriter might have aimed to produce a romantic comedy that addresses common issues across various cultures.

References

Cardoso, P. (Director). (2002). Real Women Have Curves [Film]. HBO Films.

López, J. (1996). Real Women Have Curves. Dramatic Publishing.