(no subject)

[usernamenumber]

Just saw the last 3/4 of "Real Women"... or maybe it's called "Real Women Have Curves"... or maybe "Real Women" is the original and then there's a sequel called "Real Women Have Curves", which they showed a scene from after the credits had run. It was a bit confusing since I caught it in the middle, but whatever. It's one of HBO's original movies-- damn fun and a movie that, really, it's about time somebody made. As you can probably guess, the title uses "real" in the Lane Bryant sense of the word. While the dialogue can be a bit stilted at times, it's a really sweet, multi-faceted story. Plus, I am now officially a fan of America Ferraro, the star. She delivers a great performance even when the writing's weak and is freakin' gorgeous, too. Go girl, or something to that effect.

Seriously, If you get the chance to see it, do so.

---

Ok, this is getting out of hand. Now I'm watching a Cameron Diaz romantic comedy called "The Sweetest Thing"... and it's hilarious.

There must be something wrong with me.

* time passes *

Ok. Movie's over. There is something wrong with me.

It's like about 3/4 of that movie was a surprisingly funny comedy that I laughed out loud at on a number of occasions and really wouldn't mind seeing again, while the rest of it just a series of exercises in finding new and imaginative ways to show off Cameron Diaz's ass. Not that I have anything against her ass, it's just really, really gratuitous-- to the point that I comfort myself by believeing the gratuity is intentionally tounge-in-cheek (pun not intended. get over it).

Highlights include the "movie montage", a fantastic cover of "Eternal Flame" (watch the credits) and a bit part by the lady who played Georgette on the Mary Tyler Moore show. Georgette! Woo! That alone made it worth watching.

Oh, and for those who have seen it-- that bit near the end... the *ahem* "medical distaster"... WTF? So. Very. Wrong. *shudder*. I think I'll just pretend that scene didn't happen. (For my younger readers: Yes, That was a warning).

Hmm, a quick glance at IMDB seems to show that the public and I are... at odds as to the quality of this movie. Very at odds. Oh well, not much new there, though I did expect to be on the other side of the conflict. Maybe that's why I liked it. I came in with really low expectations and so anything above zero was a point in its favor. I mean, it didn't phaze me when parts of the movie were gratuitous or stupid-- what were these people expecting? I just grinned and went along for the ride (still insisting to myself that the more ridiculous bits were done self-conciously).

Or maybe this is one of those things that's going to come back and haunt me, like when I told Lizbeth that Brain Donors was one of the funniest movies I'd ever seen. Upon attempting to re-watch it with her I realized that the funniest thing one has ever seen *at age twelve* does not nescessarily withstand the test of time. So maybe re-watching this movie with higher expections will dampen it for me. Or maybe everybody else just isn't as smart and sophisticated as me. Yeah, I like that one better.

Hrmm. You know what's really wrong with me? What's really wrong with me is that I'm actually getting worked up over justifying the fact that I enjoyed a movie the people on IMDB's fora thought was awful. *That* is not ok. Done now. =:\

Comments

[slyviolet.livejournal.com]

As a member of the key demographic that I guess was supposed to walk out of "Real Women Have Curves" feeling all empowered, liberated and beautiful *blahblahblah* I was pretty disappointed with the movie, actually. Yes, the young girl was a good actress, I agree with you on that. And I have to give it to the sex scene- that was probably absolutely the most realistic sex scene I have ever seen in a film, especially one involving virgins- I was really touched at how well it was done, how tastefully, and also how TRUTHFULLY. But all in all, one scene can't save a movie for me. I walked away going "Ok, so there was no plot to speak of, no real character development, I get the feeling that in this world, everyone is going to be pretty much exactly the way they were when the movie started." So was the one "I'm big, I'm beautiful, Look Out World!" dance number supposed to redeem this and make me feel all special? I really dislike being pandered to. I agree that it would be fabulous if there were more movies with women of larger-than-size-6, but frankly I'm kind of tired of them being there simply to be "BIG AND BEAUTIFUL AND ACCEPT ME, DAMMIT!" It's kind of the fat people equivalent of the token Asian actor but they are a computer expert or an exchange student, or the black actor who is just there to say things like "That is WHACK." It's downright insulting. And then, to make a whole movie that doesn't seem to have any other goal OTHER than to serve that patronizing purpose just pushes it over the edge. Because the reason I went to see it was because I was convinced that they couldn't possibly spend an entire film dropping not-so-subtle hints about their agenda. I was SO, so wrong.

America the young actress is very pretty and very talented for her age, but DAMN if I wasn't pissed off leaving that theater.

But I can see how someone who doesn't have all of that come immediately to the forefront every day could enjoy the film and not get too caught up in the politics. I'm glad you liked it... I am trying really lamely to turn this comment back into a comment and away from the ranting, but I don't think it's working... anyway...

Um... sorry. ;)

[abazureonna.livejournal.com]

i haven't seen the movie.. but if it's a movie specifically about the experience of a fat girl learning to accept her body, then is it so bad to focus on that?

[slyviolet.livejournal.com]

Because she doesn't, really. They never give her any kind of lasting emotional growth. She has a big blow-out scene where she yells and screams, and then the denouement is her just going back to being who she was in the first scene of the film, just sitting somewhere else. Physical movement can't substitute character development for me, and choreographed dance sequences don't replace thematic arcs.

I'm not saying it was a bad movie, I'm just saying it wasn't what I was hoping it could be, and what I thought it could have been.

[usernamenumber.livejournal.com]

* SPOILER WARNING *



I wonder if we're talking about the same movie... I missed the very beginning, but I don't remember any dance sequence and the movie ends with her going off to Columbia University, walking down the street in New York, full of confidence and looking fantastic. After the credits, it flashes forward a year to the fasion show that the dress shop she used to work in is running, where she is the star model.


Are we maybe thinking of two different films?

[usernamenumber.livejournal.com]

Well, the terms that I used to describe the movie were "sweet" and "fun". I agree that it's no life-changing cinematic masterpiece, but that said it does the least superficial job (the only job, really) of addressing those kinds of issues that I've seen and I appreciated that. I guess, once again, it's helpful to see a movie without any hype before hand. I think I saw a commercial for it once, but that was the limit of my expectations.

[slyviolet.livejournal.com]

Sorry, didn't mean to snap onto you like a mousetrap on a finger...
And I totally agree that it was quite sweet and fun.
I just keep waiting for the perfect 'real woman' movie that's in my head, and nobody else is making it, so I guess I'm going to have to. Want a cameo? ;)

[usernamenumber.livejournal.com]

* Considers for .000000001 seconds *

Yes. Yes I would. =;)

[predundant.livejournal.com]

BRAIN DONORS!

That movie was awesome when I was 12.

I was on vacation in Maine and I rented that at the video store because it looked funny, and I must have watched it a bazillion times... maybe it's still funny, maybe it isn't, but I won't find out until I rent it and watch it again... which will probably be never.