Barbie: Full of Humanity
If you’re a casual movie-goer you probably remember the excitement surrounding a particular weekend in April 2019. People of all ages came together to watch Avengers: Endgame resulting in record setting box office numbers in its opening weekend. Unless you were living under a rock, it was impossible to escape it. The marketing was everywhere, the excitement was shared by seemingly everyone and the box office numbers reflected this. Fast forward four years later, we’re in a very different collective headspace. Movie theaters have suffered drastically since 2019 and so have its patrons. And then two films, directed by two successful and wildly different filmmakers, set their release dates on July 21st and that familiar excitement returned.
Two highly anticipated films like Barbie and Oppenheimer sharing an opening weekend is not an anomaly. There have been other highly anticipated films that share opening weekends. But what makes the weekend of July 21st, now known as “Barbenheimer”, so unique is what has happened in the weeks since. Much like Endgame in 2019, it has been impossible to avoid Barbie. The advertising is reaching for your attention at every turn. While some find this overwhelming level of marketing to be exhausting, it clearly worked in getting people to the theater. Showtimes were sold out days ahead of time and people dressed in pink from head to toe anxiously waited in their seats. What Greta Gerwig has accomplished with Barbie is simply incredible. We now know that on its opening weekend Barbie became the biggest movie of the year, bringing in $155 million (domestically) on its opening weekend.
Part of what is incredibly impressive about this accomplishment, and almost unheard of, is that Barbie is not a part of a major franchise. While the Mattel doll has been a part of our childhoods since the 1960s, there is no pre-existing IP. There is no story that needed to be religiously followed in order to satisfy its fans. Writers Greta Gerwig and Noah Baumbach were able to take this story in multiple directions. Where they landed was an incredibly entertaining and smart comedy about finding yourself. The fact that moviegoers are finding a deep connection in a film centered around a toy, speaks to its thoughtfulness.
The story at the heart of Barbie falls in line with Gerwig’s style but in ways that are new and exciting for her future. Unlike Barbie, her previous films are not flashy. They’re simple, heartfelt, and they shine with her realistic storytelling at the center. Ladybird is a coming of age story about a young woman on the cusp of adulthood. Themes like gaining independence and learning to appreciate where you came from run throughout. In 2019 Gerwig adapted the literary classic Little Women. She takes an already familiar story and incorporates a refreshing perspective while staying true to the characters. Throughout both films her characters are growing up, figuring out the world isn’t what you thought it was and discovering their own beliefs within it. The same can be said for Barbie. Regardless if these similarities are intentional, it is another feather in her cap and will ultimately allow for even more creative and impactful stories to be told.
Barbie has not been without criticism, there are plenty of not so subtle messages on feminism and poking fun at the patriarchy. For a doll whose target audience is young girls and empowering them to be creative, these elements were not surprising! While these themes are ever present they never suffocate you thanks to their tone of delivery. It’s all a bit silly, for lack of a better word. And it’s because of the silliness and overt contrast to our own society that we can then find humor. In Barbieland women can literally do anything and control everything, while the Kens look to their relationship with Barbie for meaning. Barbie uses a trope historically placed on female characters, flips it on its head and the result is hilarious. It’s brilliant writing, brought to life by outstanding performances.
Margot Robbie is the perfect fit. She brings so much life into her role as Stereotypical Barbie. Her transitions from an aloof fish out of water to enlightenment are obvious in the best way. Watching her navigate through the real world is not just for laughs. While it works, she brings so much to the character that allows for an emotional connection with the audience. This is also true for America Ferrara’s performance. She has the responsibility of delivering the powerful monologue about how impossible it is to be a woman. Ferrara is one of the few non-Barbie characters, working as the voice of the audience. Her performance is compelling, relatable and deeply sincere.
It is through her female characters that Greta Gerwig does her best work. There are plenty of memorable moments in Barbie, but this monologue is impossible to forget. Another unforgettable part of Barbie is Ryan Gosling's performance. He is absolutely absurd and unbelievable as Ken. He is so committed to the delivery of this character that he is impossible to look away from. Gosling truly is an underrated actor who continuously proves that he is a master at his craft.
Ken is driving a lot of the humor in this film, but Ken is not forgotten or punished for simply being a man who wants some autonomy. While his discovery of the patriarchy is played for laughs, he too has a journey of self discovery. Just like Barbie, Ken experiences growth and is encouraged to pursue new pathways for himself. It’s a small thing that could easily go unnoticed but when Barbie acknowledges Ken’s feelings, that speaks volumes. Barbie admits she was in the wrong, and together they move on as individuals. It is such a relatable moment that Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling present beautifully on screen.
After just 17 days in theaters, Barbie grossed a staggering $1 billion at the global box office. Greta Gerwig is now the only female director with this accomplishment. Films like Barbie are living proof that audiences are looking to have fun, but they also want substance. There are a ton of entertaining films to be seen, there is no shortage of content. Barbie has changed the game and hopefully it will encourage writers to keep pushing boundaries. Barbie has shown us that even a story about a doll can reflect our own and can be full of humanity.