"Barbie" - NO SPOILERS -one of the best made movies I've ever seen

[underpants]

My wife and I watched it last night. We howled laughing and really appreciated the minute details covering of an element that’s been some part of our lives as long as we grew up.
Fantastically written and perfectly cast. Margot Robbie*, Ryan Gosling, and Kate McKinnon as Weird Barbie (her knees don’t bend 😉 ). Helen Mirren narrates.
It starts with on nod to 2001: A Space Odyssey.


*Barbie: (in tears) I'm not pretty anymore!
Gloria: What? You're so pretty!
Barbie: I'm not stereotypical Barbie pretty!
Narrator: Note to the filmmakers: Margot Robbie is the wrong person to cast if you want to make this point.


Greta Gerwig paid attention to Barbie history (several shots at Mattel) and wrote a truly great representation of the world women live in, we all live in. Ken very well represents the world men live in too. It all swirls around Barbie regardless of the patriarchy.

There is also a Matrix element where Weird Barbie gives Barbie a choice - high heels or Birkenstocks.
The movie plot really begins with something being wrong with Barbie’s feet. Details.


Lots of Barbie’s because there have been lots of Barbie’s - Shapes sizes and disabled. Lots of Ken’s too including “Sugar Daddy Ken” which one Barbie tells the camera was an actual real Ken.


The creator of Barbie is also portrayed (Rhea Perlman).

Expectations, perceptions, and reality.
Greta took some pointed shots at American conservatism too. Not preachy but definitely on point.

My wife nodded hard and LOVED this part.
Gloria: It is literally impossible to be a woman. You are so beautiful and so smart, and it kills me that you don't think you're good enough. Like, we have to always be extraordinary, but somehow we're always doing it wrong. You have to be thin, but not too thin. And you can never say you want to be thin. You have to say you want to be healthy, but also you have to be thin. You have to have money, but you can't ask for money because that's crass. You have to be a boss, but you can't be mean. You have to lead, but you can't squash other people's ideas. You're supposed to love being a mother but don't talk about your kids all the damn time. You have to be a career woman, but also always be looking out for other people. You have to answer for men's bad behavior, which is insane, but if you point that out, you're accused of complaining. You're supposed to stay pretty for men, but not so pretty that you tempt them too much or that you threaten other women because you're supposed to be a part of the sisterhood. But always stand out and always be grateful. But never forget that the system is rigged. So find a way to acknowledge that but also always be grateful. You have to never get old, never be rude, never show off, never be selfish, never fall down, never fail, never show fear, never get out of line. It's too hard! It's too contradictory and nobody gives you a medal or says thank you! And it turns out in fact that not only are you doing everything wrong, but also everything is your fault. I'm just so tired of watching myself and every single other woman tie herself into knots so that people will like us. And if all of that is also true for a doll just representing women, then I don't even know.

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1517268/

[Ninga]

1. Saw it on the big g screen. Genuinely genius!

[Joe Cool]

2. I was underwhelmed by it

Not a bad movie, but saying it was one of the best movies of all time is hyperbole. It’s not even the best movie of 2023, Godzilla Minus One is a better movie. Believe it or not, there are two parts of Godzilla Minus One where everyone was crying in the theater.

[Xavier Breath]

11. Same here.

It finally hit HBO the other day and I watched it. After all the hype and glowing praise it just didn't resonate with me. Kudos to everyone involved with the set design, lighting and cinematography, because those were worthy of Oscar nods. But the story and characters? Meh.

[LisaM]

51. I think it needs to be seen in a theatre.

I think that's because Barbie has a larger-than-life aspect.

Viewing it with a lot of women wearing pink was a big part of the experience. That said, it was certainly better than "Jaws" or "Terminator" or "Forrest Gump", or number of other movies I could name that have retained their popularity.

I did think it dragged in one spot, the Ken dance number. I couldn't decide if that was a dig at the narcortizing ballet scenes some musicals had in the 1950s or not ("Oklahoma", "Brigadoon", "An American in Paris", etc.)

[Xavier Breath]

71. "Viewing it with a lot of women wearing pink was a big part of the experience."

And that seems to be a recurring theme when people discuss its merits. That was not going to be my experience, so the movie had to stand on its own, and I found it meh. But, not my cup of tea and I'm glad others enjoyed it. I can appreciate that at least it wasn't yet another mindless superhero movie. Of course, saying that will probably get me grief from someone. As a frequenter of the movie forum I've learned you can't win around here critiquing films

[ejbr]

19. Same

I feel left out. I actually couldn't finish it. But I am happy many others enjoyed it.

[Demovictory9]

45. Probably like me with star wars. I could relate to Barbie because recall

Switching from baby doll toys..and toys that were all play housework to Barbie..a doll that engaged in a wider range of activities

[sop]

20. I agree

A very good movie, visually very creative, but "underwhelmed" works for me.

[Demovictory9]

43. I saw both. Gminus1..loved it. Barbie was good too..in a diff way

[rockfordfile]

67. Didn't care for it

I thought it was bad. Like Indian Jones.

Killers of The Flower Moon great film. Perhaps movie of the year. I haven't seen Napoleon yet.

[hlthe2b]

3. I wasn't enthused to see it, but I streamed it last week and enjoyed it.

Yes, there was some important messaging probably best conveyed-- especially to young girls-- in this format. I expect the points are absorbed by Liberal Dads too. Most other men and young boys who deign to watch it, undoubtedly not.

Finally, I've never been a big fan of all that Pepto Bismol pink, but they used it to maximal advantage. Well-cast. Well done.

[MontanaMama]

81. My 18 year old son went o see it last summer in the theater

with a coed group of friends. When he got home, I was reading in my room and he sat down to debrief the movie with me. He said he loved it and he also said it made him really sad. He said he was happy to have seen it and was glad he had gone with a group of his girl and guy friends. He asked me if I felt like being a woman meant living up to an impossible standard especially in the workplace and I told him that yes, it feels like that a lot of the time. He hugged me and told me he was sorry.

[hlthe2b]

82. Nice. Underscores how worthwhile the messaging...

You raised a good kid.

[Croney]

4. I went to a Halloween Zumba class in full Weird Barbie persona.

Outfit, wig, face paint. It was glorious. My knees don't like to bend anyway. 🤪

Great movie.

[underpants]

8. Hilarious

[Niagara]

57. Can we get pictures?

That sounds like fun!

[Croney]

62. I botched the face cover, lol. I'm not one to show my face

on a public board.

The dress started out much longer, I had to crop it; and couldn't wear the great boots for dancing. Still, I got a lot of attention and positive feedback. It was great fun.

[Niagara]

63. It's okay to cover your face on a public board.

I love your weird Barbie outfit, that's fabulous!

[Croney]

65. Thank you!

[sinkingfeeling]

5. I watched it on Max to see what all the hype was about. I got the points of truth

made about women's lives, but wasn't excited by the movie. Thought the idea of traveling to and from Barbie land and the real world was rather dumb. Hated to see Will Ferrell in such an idiotic role.

[newdayneeded]

60. Will Ferrell in an idiotic role?

have you seen some of his other movies? lol

[jmowreader]

70. This was one of the few movies with Will Ferrell in it that I actually liked

The whole "Will Ferrell Schtick" wouldn't have worked in this film. Toned down to a dull roar, he was good.

[newdayneeded]

75. i liked "the other guys"

The whole cast was hilarious. the silent fight and shouting scene at the funeral home. lol

[niyad]

6. A friend and I saw it when it first came out. We had both been ambivalent

Last edited Sun Dec 31, 2023, 01:38 PM - Edit history (1)

about seeing it, even though I had watched some of the interviews with Greta and Margot. What decided us was ben shapiro's ranting "review". We figured that anything that caused him that much angst had to be good. We loved it all. Gloria's comment is absolutely accurate.

Thanks for the reminder. I need to buy the dvd.

[Sympthsical]

7. It's a blast

A lot of fun to watch - I've seen it twice and am trying to get my partner to watch it now that it's on Max.

As an entertainment, it's great. Love the cast, the music, and the production design. I've had the soundtrack in my Spotify rotation since the summer. Love its lampooning of toxic masculinity. "You caught me reading" - LOL.

As "A Message" it falls apart if you think about it for more than three seconds. Very surface pop psychology and Gerwig absolutely understood her audience. Which is fine.

Poor Midge.

[LakeArenal]

76. I loved the movie part....

But the ending…. Girls fool boys, sneak behind their back and vote boys out.

Isn’t that a problem?

[Sympthsical]

78. You can't think about the logic in any of it

It ruins the movie.

Just the arc is weird. The Barbies oppress the Kens, so the Kens give it back to them, and then the Barbies go back to oppressing the Kens. And they're heroic for it.

And once you realize Gloria's super power is suburban complaining, it's all over.

I love the movie. I just can't think about it seriously. Gerwig didn't know what she wanted to say, which is why there's a kind of empty "Just be yourself!" message at the end. Because everything that came before was such a tangled mess, a coherent message is impossible to derive from it.

Whenever a message is given or argument is made, it will be contradicted or undone if you wait 3 mins. It's almost entirely pop feminism of the kind frequently marketed to white suburban women. It's not meant to be examined. It's an "all vibes" kind of movie. And the vibes are very good.

I choose to just go with the vibes.

[LakeArenal]

79. I think it's a beautiful movie. Just that one small thing.

I am already seeing more pink in design today. Which, for me, beats grey and beige any day.

[Sympthsical]

80. Oh absolutely

One of my friends has a BIL who has won an Oscar and been nominated multiple times for production design. I asked her what his take was on Barbie, and he said if it didn't win this year, it would be one of the biggest whiffs by the Academy this century.

[jimfields33]

9. It was good. Wouldn't say best ever.

It was a cute cheesy film.

[underpants]

14. Appreciated. I meant that in consideration of the size of the subject.

Iconic doesn’t cover Barbie. The history part was impressive.

[rockfordfile]

68. No kidding

I get it the film can mean something different to every person.

[hibbing]

10. I thought it was funny

I liked the stylized sets, the musical numbers, and whole look of the movie and I thought Ryan Gossling was hilarious.

Peace

[twodogsbarking]

12. Jennifer Coolidge should have been Barbie. Saw it online and laughed.

[tavernier]

13. My kids and grandkids watched it three different times so I had to join the fun each time.

But to be perfectly honest, I only stayed for the second and third viewings so that I could look at Ryan Gosling again.

Oh get off my back! I’m an old lady but I’m not dead yet.

[underpants]

16. Hell ya sister

I think he does sit ups.

[tavernier]

17. Indeed

[Demovictory9]

48. Lol

[kimbutgar]

15. I watched it when it first came out in the theaters and also watched it last night it is so much darker the second

Time around. So many messages to process about women’s place in society.

[Collimator]

32. It is layered.

Watching it more than once gives you the opportunity to mull the deeper stuff and appreciate any missed fun details. Someone on a Youtube video pointed out that Gloria's daughter-- who, let's face it, was a little self-righteous and hard-edged-- has the same name as a Bratz doll. For those unaware of Bratz dolls, take any concerns about the sexualized nature of Barbie and dial it up to 11.

Market-wise, the Bratz dolls tried to compete with Barbie. But the fact that I have to explain what Bratz dolls are for the sake of some members our community tells you how poorly they have fared against the endurance of Barbie.

[Rebl2]

33. I have

not seen the movie, but bits and pieces I have seen on tv, I thought the same.

[ALBliberal]

18. I love this movie! Thanks for the review!!

[elocs]

21. Pass. n/t

[Collimator]

22. I thoroughly enjoyed it. Wore my only three articles of pink clothing to the theater in the spirit of solidarity.

Parts of it were fun and playful and made me laugh. Other moments touched my heart and overall it made me think. I honestly can't think of what else I would want from a movie.

One thing to really furrow your brow over is how many right-wing pundits lost their shit over it. And those people thundering against the movie often used Barbie-themed iconography--fonts, colors, etc.-- in their social media posts.

That told me that they recognized that the movie was front and center in the popular zeitgeist and they were determined to cash in. And that's when I stopped to consider how sincere their outrage really was.

Whatever trend or topic is gathering attention at any given moment, certain media types will offer their loud and provocative opinions on it as long as people are willing to pay. If the movie really were forgettable fluff, they wouldn't be hollering about it.

As example, there have been numerous animated Barbie movies available for years out in the straight-to-video market. They are the sort of thing that parents put on the TV to occupy their three year olds while getting lunch prepared. I've never heard a peep from Ben Shapiro or Candace Owens about how subversive they are.

That's the beauty of this movie. It is subversive and it's rather affirming as well. Neat trick, Greta Gerwig. Brava!

[badhair77]

23. I don't know what I expected but it wasn't anything like it.

I did, however, really enjoy it. I loved the whole movie - the music, the design, the fashion, the history, and the casting. Much deeper message than I expected. Honestly, I didn’t expect any message.

[calimary]

24. Shit. I've gotta see it.

[LPBBEAR]

25. I didn't care for it

On the other hand I got a great nap out of it. I fell asleep about 15 minutes in.

[obamanut2012]

44. Many other people did

[Lunabell]

26. Until the last half hour.

When Barbie's inventor gave us a lecture. That was unnecessary to the plotline and the movie could have stood alone without it.

[maxsolomon]

86. the rhea perlman part sucked the air out of it, but i see why they went there.

a bit maudlin but maybe important for girls to hear.

the "patriarchy" parts had me LOL.

[TexasBushwhacker]

27. I loved it

I'm glad I saw it in the theater.

[Wild blueberry]

28. Great movie

Did not like Barbie dolls as a girl, but this movie is so accurate about the place of women in our culture. Love Gerwig's intelligent cheekiness and pink subversiveness! Actually cheered in the movie theater! Look forward to seeing it again.
Glad you like it, too.

[Jilly_in_VA]

29. The commercials for it are so godawful

that there is no way in hell I'm watching this movie.

[cate94]

30. Honestly thought it was a lot of hype about nothing.

When I went and saw it, I was shocked and pleasantly surprised. It was a great movie. It was fun, silly and had a great message without being preachy. It had the added benefit of irritating straight white dudes who had no conception of their own privilege . You can’t unsee it.

OTOH, would Barbie really want to become real after seeing the difference between the two worlds?

[greatauntoftriplets]

85. So I watched it, and liked it a lot.

I liked that Barbie chose to be part of the real world at the end because she wanted to do something meaningful and get away from the mindless beach lifestyle. And Ken, who I thought was pretty lame. I saw it as being about women's empowerment and growth. America Ferrera did an amazing job as Gloria; so did Margo Robbie as Barbie...er, Barbara Handler.

I think that she knew the real world had obstacles and that not everything was rosy. Or maybe she just liked wearing flats.

[greatauntoftriplets]

31. I recorded it last week because I wasn't able to watch it at the time.

I plan to watch it tonight. I've heard good things about it, and enjoyed reading your take.

[underpants]

40. I'd love to know what you think.

[greatauntoftriplets]

50. I'll be sure to let you know.

When it first came out, I had no intention of seeing it. But after reading reviews and the reactions of several women family members, I changed my mind and am looking forward to it.

I had several Barbie dolls as a kid. When we got a bit older (pre-teen), we'd play with them in the basement to hide it from my mother. We were pretending that the dolls were prostitutes in a brothel. Eventually, I gave them to a younger neighborhood girl. Now I could kick myself because they were original Barbie dolls.

[Initech]

34. I watched Barbie not sure if it would live up to the hype.

And I have to say that it was extremely enjoyable, more than I thought it would be. I need to watch it again!

[underpants]

41. Worth another watch for sure

I know you know comedy as well as anyone.

The ready opened milk and not actually drinking liquids was very humorous to me. Apt too, according to my wife.

If I’m not mistaken, “Asian Ken” was Mattel’s first foray outside the norm. Couldn’t go black and at the time Latinos were mostly nonexistent nationwide - Midwest/South.

[Mossfern]

35. Never had a Barbie

and told my daughter that I would buy her a Barbie when she looked like one. I wasn't into the Barbie materialism back then (my daughter is now 43 years old)...Barbie Dream Home, Barbie Dream car? Focus on fashion and flash - Ken too.

She did have friends sneak Barbies into the house, but they did surgery on them. I found one with the torso cut open in the freezer. My daughter explained that Barbie had an incurable condition and they put her in a cryogenic state until they could find a cure. I think they never did.

She did have dolls though, lots of them - including three American Girl dolls and books, but there were no adult women dolls.

I had no interest in seeing the Barbie movie, nor do I think I ever will. To those who love Barbie - have a great time watching and enjoying... just not for me.

[Collimator]

37. " Barbie had an incurable condition and they put her in a cryogenic state. . ."

That would be a Weird Barbie. They touch on that concept in the movie.

[Mossfern]

39. Actually, I think that would be

intelligent, medical, scientific Barbie.
Nothing weird about it at all IMHO

The doll itself would be "seriously ill Barbie."

[MerryBlooms]

72. During the summer, my dad would fight forest fires

He was a heavy equipment operator for the county. I remember him coming home early mornings covered in black soot, and sometimes yellow jacket stings. He always took a huge metal thermos of coffee, and lunch box. Some mornings he had treats for me in the big metal lunch box. My mom would make him a huge breakfast, I'd sit on his lap. If there was something in that lunch box, he would keep it on the floor under his chair. I can still remember how he smelled of burned wood and sweat. Anyway, sometimes it would be a Hostess sweet treat. Very rare for me. One time it was a tiny black terrior puppy, dad had rescued. One time, it was a Barbie, the blonde with the flipped hair and the little curl on the forehead. I used my mom's doilies for her clothes and we had tea with our cat and Annie, our little mutt who had pups at the same time as the cat. They had their kittens and pups in the same closet. Neither cats nor dogs cared who was nursing who. Lol

I had GI Joe's too. No Kens. I had a Barbie, and cherished her for a time. It didn't ruin me.

[tinrobot]

36. Just watched it last night. It was good, but by no means one of the best.

I thought the general message was very good. Costumes and styling were over the top in just the right way.

The humor was pretty good, but some jokes were a bit predictable as were some plot points. I found the pacing and timing of the film to be a bit off. Some scenes were just too long, some were superfluous. They could have easily trimmed 20 minutes to tighten it up.

I did think the stereotypical portrayal of Ken's world was disappointing. Yeah, I get going to the opposite extreme is needed from a story perspective, but not all guys are into cars, football, and watching "The Godfather". Male stereotypes like that bug this guy as much as female stereotypes bug a lot of women.

But then again, maybe I'm more of an 'Alan' than a 'Ken.'

[Greybnk48]

38. I was not a Barbie kind of gal, BUT

the movie was brilliant, IMO, and parts of it caused me (75), my daughter (40), and my niece (35) to cry. No spoilers, but those who have seen it will likely know why.

Parts of it (many) had us laughing our butts off!!

[WarGamer]

42. My wife and I also watched it last week at home...

If we were at the movie theater, I think we would have walked out after 20-30 minutes...

The beginning was atrocious.

Unwatchable.

Then it got better but IMHO was oddly simplistic and preachy.

My wife said she'd give it a B- but barely.

I won't even rate it.

[underpants]

46. Okay. I thought it was a complete presentation

Bottom to top.

[WarGamer]

49. Having said that... I'm definitely NOT the target demo for the movie...

And considering it's success... they targeted it properly.

[LAS14]

47. OK!!! OK!!!! We'll watch it!!! nt

[LakeArenal]

52. I thought it was beautiful. Not the plot but the movie.

I already see home decorating shows moving out of grey and beige to colors. Love it.

[Omaha Steve]

53. AFTER a review by forum hosts LOCKING

Belongs in Lounge, Showbiz

Statement of Purpose

Discuss politics, issues, and current events. Posts about Israel/Palestine, religion, guns, showbiz, or sports are restricted in this forum.

[EarlG]

54. Unlocking again after further review

The OP is about the social issues raised by the movie. This is fine for GD.

[tavernier]

55. Thank you.

Appreciated. I wasn’t aware that I could dispute a decision but now that I am I will follow proper protocol.

[Niagara]

56. Thank you!

[sinkingfeeling]

58. Thanks.

[hlthe2b]

59. Thank you

[honest.abe]

61. Agreed.

Very clever funny movie with a serious message about women’s role in society. Well done!

[LearnedHand]

64. America Ferrera's monologue (a little spoiler)

The. Best. Part.

https://www.townandcountrymag.com/leisure/arts-and-culture/a44725030/america-ferrera-barbie-full-monologue-transcript/

[TSExile]

66. Loved it!!

I went to the theater with two girlfriends and we had the best time. We all wore pink - my shirt is light pink with a hot pink Venus symbol on it. 😊♀️

[jmowreader]

69. There is no justice in the world...

...if that movie doesn't win Oscars for Best Production Design and Best Supporting Actress. The question is, who gets the second one? You could argue that Kate McKinnon and America Ferrara both deserve it.

[Hamlette]

73. I was . . . surprised the first time around. Watch it a second time. It is much funnier.

[PufPuf23]

74. Saw Barbie August 16 largely because of what read at DU.

Nearest theatre is 85 miles and that town is also where bought vehicle and have used service department.

Needed 60,000 miles service and new brakes and had time to kill while work in progress.

Salesman who sold me vehicle drove me to and picked me up at movie. He already knew me as a slightly weird but safe and friendly but ill old guy but I did not yet realize he was a MAGA. Found out later he was MAGA but he has always been respectful to me and that explains his less than high enthusiasm when I spoke of the movie.

When Barbie talked to Ruth at the beginning, I thought Ruth was Ruth Bader Ginsburg and the actress looked familiar but could not place the face. Turns out the actress was Rhea Perlman and "Ruth" was the woman who invented Barbie. This juxtaposition of the two Ruth's was what I related to my ride and throwing in something about patriarchy and he did not know of Ruth Bader Ginsburg so I tried to explain.

Don't get out much.

[MLAA]

77. Went reluctantly. Even dressed up since my friends were really into it and had been looking forward to it for

weeks. Wow. I loved it!

[yellowdogintexas]

83. Saw it in the theater with my daughter and 3 of her friends

We all loved it, even with our differing points of view.
Yes we all wore pink. It was hilarious - 75 year old me with a carload of young women in their 30s. I told them I was their token senior citizen; actually I had value as a historian. The theater was packed with women, all wearing pink in one form or another; women of all ages. My "charges" and I had a great time.

The movie is valuable as a type of social commentary of the crass commercialism and superficiality of our society over the past 50 or 60 years. The 4 year olds of today are All Barbie All the time; at 4 I had a Betsy Wetsy who came with a blankie, a nightie, a little baby bottle and a couple of diapers.

My how times have changed. I will say that we had Weird Barbies in our house when my sisters were kids; my daughter and her friends had Weird Barbies too, and I expect that her daughter will as well. Weird Barbie is a strike against the perfection of the doll as created: I will never look like you so I will make you look worse than I ever could!!!

Friends who predate the Barbie generation do not get Weird Barbie at all and think it doesn't belong in the move.

[Johnny2X2X]

84. I thought it was great

I think there’s a wing of society that forgets that there is still injustice and inequality. There are things men take for granted in this world. It’s male privilege and there’s been a huge movement on the right to make it seem like men have it tougher.

I thought the film did a great job of illustrating how this harms both sexes.

[cally]

87. Unusual combination of humor and social commentary

I enjoyed it and the messaging on obstacles women face. Laughed out loud when I saw here bare feet on tiptoes and the scene where she fell over holding a sitting pose. i played with Barbies and I remember frustration at the feet and her stiffness. I couldn’t make her sit right!