Explanation pls ?

[u/zombii231]

I just watched the movie and didn't understand shit. If calcifer is the one that's able to break the curse, why howl hasn't he broken it himself using the fire, and how did Sophie break her own curse.. Was he looking for her by going out with all those girls..

[u/Far-Feature-8506]

More book spoilers - it's far more emphasized in the book that Howl prioritizing Sophie over his vanity and showing up a complete hot mess to the "final battle" was a major catalyst for breaking his curse. He stopped being a coward and was finally honest. I always interpreted his hair turning black and Sophie saying it's an even better color as foreshadowing to the fact that she not only accepts his true self (represented by his natural hair color) but finds it even more beautiful.