It has been over two months since the world was swept up in a pink storm surrounding the release of Barbie. Greta Gerwig’s directing paired with Hollywood stars Margot Robbie, Ryan Gosling, and America Ferrera produced a masterpiece that will go down in cinematic history. The Barbie Movie, its popularized informal title, was released on July 21st and has grossed over $1.38 billion. Set in the imaginative, Barbieland, as well as the real, human world, Robbie as Barbie undergoes life-changing events that all viewers can relate to. Not everyone might know that Mattel is the company that manufactures the toy, or that Barbie’s full name is Barbara Millicent Roberts. However, the Barbie doll is synonymous with Americans dating back to 1959. Barbie continues to draw hordes of people into the theaters, but we must take off our pink-tinted glasses and understand the more complex ideas conveyed in the film.
In Barbieland, the Barbies are female powerhouses who run the show. They live in dreamhouses, hold prestigious jobs, and live next door to their best friends. In a world so pink and positive, every day is a good day. The Kens’ purposes for existing are solely based on the Barbies acknowledging them. Dull topics like death and hopelessness are never present in this world. However, when Barbie starts experiencing traits that are uncharacteristic of Sterotypical Barbie (Margot Robbie’s character’s official name), she must travel to the human world on a journey of self-discovery and purpose. Ryan Gosling as Ken tags along in this journey, only to discover a completely different world than the one he currently lives in. In the human world, men are idolized, and he starts reshaping his personality based on this. Barbie gets a reality check of her own when she realizes that humans act differently around her. Her naiveté and unusually bright outfit, even for Santa Monica, offer comedic moments for the audience yet are also sad to think about. The Barbies live in a true utopia. When Barbie is plucked from this environment, she has to cope with the daily struggles that life throws our way. It is a tumultuous journey, but don’t worry, there is a happy ending.
To give as many details as possible without spoiling the entire film, I will say that this is a movie unlike any I have seen. It is silly, comedic, heart-wrenching, nostalgic, and assuring all at the same time. You’ll be singing and laughing along, but you will also be silent and reflective. Maybe even shed a few tears. At first glance, the viewer may think that its sole purpose is to directly feed us imagery and messaging about positive feminism. While true, the film’s social commentary extends beyond just feminism. There is certainly something to be said about the expectations of men as we compare Ken’s actions before and after his journey to the real world. The movie also serves as a message for all women and one about identity & belonging. A major theme of Barbie is breaking out of societal norms, which we often follow blindly out of fear of sticking out or for general convenience.
The film astutely recognizes the shortcomings of the Barbie brand, specifically the dolls’ unrealistic physical proportions that set beauty standards for young women. The brand also celebrates women and their accomplishments. In Barbieland, women are scientists at NASA, Supreme Court Justices, and one Barbie is President. Barbie pays tribute to the brand’s past while also not shying away from calling out its major flaw. Many young children, myself included, have played with Barbie dolls. My own Barbies were professors, girls who liked to shop, gymnasts, and princesses. They were detectives and driver's ed instructors. My Barbies did it all. When I was playing with my Barbies, I never idolized them for their bodies or compared them to myself. It was purely for the fun of dreaming up a safe world in which I could have fun and be imaginative. I think I had one, maybe two Ken dolls and I often referred to them as “the boyfriend” or “just Ken.” It’s funny to think how accurate the film is at conveying this point. My dolls never had the same occupations. My Barbie was never just a partner like Ken is portrayed as. Why? These questions are explored throughout the movie. I don’t remember the specific day in which I stopped playing with Barbie dolls, but I imagine it was around the same time the youthful innocence was disappearing, much like what Barbie experienced during her journey to the human world.
I saw the movie with one of my girl friends, and at first, I wasn’t sure how to feel. At the closing credits, I felt almost unsettled. Maybe that was Gerwig’s intention? I liked the movie and I understood the simple meaning, but I wasn’t able to dig deep until I went home and let it sink in. I think that seeing this film is a different experience for everyone and that the director intends for each viewer to leave the theater with own analysis. While TikTok and Instagram are quick to point out things we may have missed, I still believe that The Barbie Movie is an individual experience that we share collectively outside of the theater.
The Barbie Movie is a movie for everyone to see. It is disappointing that some men still refuse to see the film simply because marketing campaigns featured pink all over, or because it is a “girl’s movie,” or because they simply don’t care. I wonder how male students at Bentley University interpret the themes of Barbie and apply them to their own actions. It is no secret that our campus is a close replica of the stereotypically male-dominated real world portrayed in Barbie. Even with organizations and resources seeking to make Bentley more equitable, there is still significant room for improvement. I firmly believe that everyone can learn something from Barbie. Maybe I am not making much sense, but that’s because it is so hard to explain. While this article does not have real “spoilers”, I don’t want to ruin the magic of experiencing it firsthand. The film is utterly unique and even two months later, I am still thinking about it. So, if you’re feeling inclined, I implore you to watch Barbie. Perhaps you just want to challenge this review. No matter your motivation, watch The Barbie Movie, you may find it life-changing.
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