Real Women Are Curves (American comedy-drama) was shot in East Los Angeles. It was directed and released by Patricia Cardoso in 2002. Although the setting of Real Women Have Curves was the same, it was written six years earlier than the movie, in 1996. The plot is one of the most important differences.
The story of Ana is about Ana who struggles to realize her dream of attending college despite the dire economic circumstances in her family. Ana’s mother Carmen wants her family to be close, so she makes Ana work in the factory. Ana is confident as she grows and applies for Columbia University. Ana breaks all cultural and socioeconomic barriers by living with a boyfriend and leading an independent lifestyle. Ana is supported by her sister and father. When she is accepted at Columbia University, Ana still feels unhappy and doesn’t meet Ana before she goes. However, the play’s main focus is on Estella, Ana’s older sibling and factory owner. We learn that Estella is undocumented and fears being deported if she is subject to immigration services (La Migra) patrolling her home. The factory is the setting for the play. We also see the struggles of the workers and the women trying to keep Estella safe.
Both plots are completely different. Ana is the protagonist of the movie’s story, while Estella appears more prominently in Estella’s. The film’s plot focuses primarily on Ana’s struggles to get into college. The play, however, focuses on Estella’s problems. We are not given any clues about Ana’s deportation. The movies also depict Ana’s relationship and boyfriend. Ana’s boyfriend is not mentioned in the play. The play focuses on Estella’s relationship to her lover El Tormento. They also have different characters. In the play, Ana’s father is mentioned only as Carmen’s husband. Carmen is also a different person in the movie. When the women are comparing their bodies and undressing, Carmen seems more rigid towards their bodies. The play’s same scene shows her as more relaxed.
But, there are many differences in the movie and play. In the 1990s, sexual discrimination was a major issue. The play’s main theme is gender inequality. The movie had already produced the Isle of Man’s first sex discrimination bill, which was passed in 2001. The screenwriter may have strayed from the script because he wanted to change the direction of education for women and break stereotypes. The screenwriter might also make a financial decision. He may have attempted to create a romantic comedy to address the problem of Latinos in the play to attract a wide audience.
