In a blink-and-you’ll-miss-it scene in “Barbie”, one of the Barbies accepts her Nobel Peace Prize. Her acceptance speech is simple: “I worked hard for this, and I deserve it”, she says. What a radical idea. A woman who’s not belittling her achievement by giving away all the credit. Greta Gerwig has worked hard, and she deserves all the accolades and the huge financial success that this film affords. She’s created a narrative that uses comedy to show how patriarchy is harmful to women but also celebrates women supporting each other.
“Barbie” has been a huge triumph for Gerwig, who co-wrote the film with her partner and frequent collaborator, Noah Baumbach. The film has now grossed a billion dollars at the box office worldwide after just three weeks in wide release. It’s the biggest debut for a film directed by a woman and “Barbie” has the biggest summer box office of 2023. Sure to be nominated for a slew of awards for Production Design, Soundtrack, and Costumes, it’s Gerwig’s direction and Margot Robbie’s passion as the producer that elevate the project. Plus, Ryan Gosling is hilarious, and the musical numbers are so much fun. Whether you think the film is a masterpiece or simply light entertainment, how can you not celebrate its success?
For some people, film critics in particular, there’s been a less giddy vibe. There was the review in TIME magazine that labeled the film “shallow” but found A LOT to discuss about the greater implications of the plot points in “Barbie”.
The things that are good about Barbie — Robbie’s buoyant, charming performance and Ryan Gosling’s go-for-broke turn as perennial boyfriend Ken, as well as the gorgeous, inventive production design—end up being steamrollered by all the things this movie is trying so hard to be. Its playfulness is the arch kind.
Barbie Movie Review: Very Pretty But Not Very Deep | Time
There’s been politicians ranting about the “woke” nature of the film (even setting the dolls ablaze!). Some people criticize the “male bashing” of the film, while others claim that there’s nothing redeemable in “Barbie”—the toy or the film. The sheer volume of criticism and praise have made for an ongoing conversation that’s proving the point of film.
Reactions to Gerwig’s ambitions as she moves from independent films to blockbusters reinforce the validity of the speech given by America Ferrara as Gloria. With two films in “The Chronical of Narnia” series that she’ll be direct for Netflix and co-writing the new “Snow White” adaptation for Disney, Gerwig is being called a sell-out. She’s facing criticism from both critics and fans for her career ambitions.
It proves just how true Gloria’s monologue is to the experience of being a woman, particularly for a woman in the position of power or in the public eye –“We have to always be extraordinary, but somehow we’re always doing it wrong”. It’s true that the years Gerwig spent writing, directing, and starring in Indie films is what gave her the experience to be the successful writer/director she is today…but that doesn’t mean she must regulate her talents to small films. She can use that talent to work on bigger (and more lucrative) projects. She doesn’t have to wear pink or act humble to deserve her successful career.
If you haven’t seen “Barbie”, grab a few friends and maybe your rollerblades. Make it an outing and make sure you leave time to discuss the film and its impact afterwards. Whether you wear pink or relate more with Weird Barbie or Allen, you’ll find plenty to discuss. Like it or not, “Barbie” is the film of the summer.
Drinks with films 