Barbie and Ken are having the time of their lives in the colorful and seemingly perfect world of Barbie Land. However, when they get a chance to go to the real world, they soon discover the joys an...
I don’t think “Barbie” is a good movie. In fact, it pushes the limits of being a borderline bad movie. That doesn’t mean I am going to give it a negative review, however, because there is a lot (and I mean a lot) of things to love here. Despite its fair share of flaws, this part screwball comedy combined with part scathing social commentary is a fearless feminist manifesto that’s perfectly wrapped in a pretty pink bow. It’s the movie event of the summer for a reason, and it’s a defiant, thought-provoking, funny, and brutally honest exploration of the female experience in a world that’s run by men.
Barbie (Margot Robbie) has the perfect life. She lives in a dream world called Barbieland and is surrounded by hundreds of her female friends. Women run the world, and it’s absolute perfection. That is, until the day Barbie begins having an existential crisis. In order to stop dark thoughts from entering her head (and the cellulite from permanently planting itself on her thighs), she takes a trip into the real world to find the girl who is playing with her. Things don’t go as planned due to a stowaway Ken (Ryan Gosling) and an all-male board at Mattel toys and their idiot CEO (Will Ferrell), especially when the toxic patriarchy of the real world bleeds into Barbieland.
It’s a very weird story that makes for an equally bizarre movie. Basing a feature on a popular toy isn’t as a bad of an idea as it sounds. It’s truly astounding that director and co-writer Greta Gerwig was given so much creative freedom with a big studio project like this, and she and co-writer Noah Baumbach get to tell the story they want to tell in the subversive, satirical manner in which they want to tell it. It’s not hollow and it’s not a throwaway narrative. Gerwig obviously understands women, and she absolutely nails her expression of what it means to be a woman, from the joys, the hardships, and the unrealistic expectations that are placed on us since birth.
Gerwig and Baumbach have always been outspoken filmmakers and they don’t hold back here, especially when it comes to skewering chauvinistic men. The Kens are portrayed as dumb lunkheads who only exist if Barbie looks at them. The Barbies are smart, level-headed, and have no time nor tolerance for the desperation of the Kens.
Barbieland is a well-oiled machine that is a world run by women is productive, supportive, and kind. Every female has a place in society, and they each keep things operating like clockwork. The most inspired part of the film is when Ken tags along with Barbie to the real world and his eyes are opened to the ideas of the patriarchy. It’s hilarious and sad, especially as a wide-eyed, enthralled Ken rushes back to Barbieland to spread this news to his fellow men. Just as in human society, this rots their former Utopia to the core, and the only fix is for all women to rise up from the male-induced brainwashing.
The script is sophisticated, brainy, and sarcastic, and Gerwig and Baumbach tackle incendiary topics with a signature grace and wit that will prove irresistible to intellectual types. In a way, the film is preaching to the choir of outspoken, liberal feminists, but here’s where it gets interesting: it’s also hitting a nerve with more conservative and reserved women who have resigned themselves to outdated, sexist notions. Needless to say, this is a movie that is going to push the buttons of misogynists and other weak-minded men, and it’s no wonder strong women are flocking to the theaters in droves to support it. (Ted Cruz is telling me not to see this movie? I’ll have 4 tickets, please)!
Basing a film on a toy that has sparked controversy since its creation (when little girls were finally given a doll that could be glamorous, fun, and didn’t leave them stuck with traditional babydolls that had them playing mommy or instilling dreams of becoming a housewife) is resonating with women and girls on a deeper level. The toy and the film are a reminder to all females that they, too, can be anything, be it an athlete, teacher, veterinarian, astronaut, or President (well, I guess we’re still working on that part).
The lead performances are appropriately goofy, though neither Robbie nor Gosling is a standout this year (they certainly look the part, however). Surrounded by a diverse cast (which includes Issa Rae, Hari Nef, Sharon Rooney, Simu Liu, America Ferrera, Michael Cera, Alexandra Shipp, Kate McKinnon, and Kingsley Ben-Adir), there truly is a Barbie that will resonate with everyone. The imaginative production design is the stuff dreams are made of, with candy-colored hues and eye-popping landscapes. Just seeing Barbie’s outfits are a delight, especially as she tries to blend in with the real world.
“Barbie” is a feminist’s dream, with an empowering, inspiring message that celebrates what it means to be a woman. It’s strange, but it’s also a must-see movie that you are guaranteed to be talking about for a long, long time.
