She’s everything. He’s just Ken. The tagline of Barbie, director Greta Gerwig’s 2023 live-action movie sensation, sums up the film perfectly. Fast-paced, thought-provoking, and emotional, the movie offers the audience a comparison of feminism and sexism while portraying the lives of women in the 21st century. The film has received both applause and criticism, with reviews ranging from, “A near-miraculous achievement from Greta Gerwig,” (The Independent) to, “Very pretty but not very deep” (Time Magazine). The movie generated much conversation in the past months, and will continue to do so in months to come.
Released on July 21st, the pink-filled film follows the lives of Barbie and Ken, two dolls happily living in the seemingly-perfect world of Barbieland where women dominate every field while empowering girls globally. However, the main character’s entire life is turned upside down when she and Ken must travel to the real world, facing the struggles and hardships women encounter every day and discovering a new concept – the patriarchy. But, while Barbie cannot understand why gender equality still hasn’t been achieved in the human world, believing in the idea that the Barbies have defeated sexism and chauvinism, Ken is amazed at the presence of the patriarchy, used to living in a world where women hold more power than men; he returns to Barbieland, intent upon transforming his home into a patriarchate. It is then up to Barbie to fix the world she now finds herself in.
Since the release of the movie, online news platforms and movie review websites have been publishing articles upon articles either praising or criticizing the film, each with their own take on Greta Gerwig’s newest release. As explained by NBC news, for example, the Barbie movie, “takes on serious and systemic social issues, examining the contradictions and complexities of modern womanhood (…) frequently touches on the nuances of being a woman,” complimenting the emotional depth and intensity of the movie, as well as how it approached the topic of the life of women in modern society. Other sources, such as the Time Magazine, commented that Barbie is, “a mosaic of many shiny bits of cleverness with not that much to say,” suggesting that, although the film presented viewers with a crucial exploration of society and its flaws, it did not demonstrate the profundity the audience expected. With both negative and positive evaluations and ratings flooding in, Barbie most definitely had a profound impact on its fans and haters, triggering a debate that is still being discussed.
Despite many critics attacking Barbie due to its presentation and storyline, others explain that their reason for their disapproval of the movie is the conflict that occurs between the expectations they originally had and the reality they were faced with. According to The Guardian, “If Barbie constitutes a triumph, it’s a triumph not of feminism but of the patriarchy’s far most unassailable scion – capitalism”. As stated by this source, Barbie, which was supposed to be a representation of both the power women hold and the hardships that come with being female, did not manage to transmit its message, and instead used the anticipation emerging from fans to gain money. Due to the hype that has been going on since the first announcement of the film, millions have been spent in order to purchase tickets and merchandise, with a number of famous companies and brands, such as Gap, NYX, and Zara, collaborating with the movie. This resulted in Barbie’s box office grossing more than 1.4 billion dollars, beating Warner Bros’ previous record, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2. Greta Gerwig also became the highest grossing female director of all time, creating a new milestone for women in the film industry. Along with other sources, The Guardian explains that Barbie did not succeed in becoming a feminist representation, and instead used the genuine excitement of the public to benefit itself.
In summary, Barbie, one of the most popular movies of 2023, has been met with both criticism and appreciation by the public. While some believe that the film accurately portrays the life and struggles women around the world have to face every day, others explain that it still follows the patriarchy present in modern society. Critics have also stated that the movie was mostly created to benefit Mattel, the company responsible for the creation of Barbie, and does not possess any feminist connotations. Overall, however, it is safe to state that, despite the multitude of reviews that have been made towards the film, Barbie remains one of the most financially successful movies of the year, rapidly gaining popularity and fame due to the audience’s (misplaced according to some) support.
Bibliography:
“It’s “Barbie’s” World — and It’s More Inclusive and Modern than Ever Before.” NBC News, 20 July 2023, www.nbcnews.com/pop-culture/barbie-movie-ushers-bimbo-feminism-hyperfemininity-mainstream-rcna94892.
Cox, David. “Barbie’s Muddled Feminist Fantasy Still Bows to the Patriarchy.” The Guardian, 4 Aug. 2023, www.theguardian.com/film/2023/aug/04/barbies-muddled-feminist-fantasy-still-bows-to-the-patriarchy.
Fletcher, Harriet. “Greta Gerwig’s Barbie Movie Is a “Feminist Bimbo” Classic – and No, That’s Not an Oxymoron.” The Conversation, 19 July 2023, theconversation.com/greta-gerwigs-barbie-movie-is-a-feminist-bimbo-classic-and-no-thats-not-an-oxymoron-210069.
Mendez, Malia. ““Barbie” Streaming: Records Broken at Box Office.” Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 12 Sept. 2023, www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/story/2023-09-12/barbie-streaming-records-broken-box-office.