See the movie. I saw it last night and it very much acknowledges and exposes all of this. I am not and never have been a stereotypical Barbie girl. I heard the word patriarchy more times during the movie run time than I ever have and I live with Denise and majored in women’s studies. None of it was revelatory for me but it felt sort of like being at a BlogHer conference or other space reserved for women. That being seen and seeing. I have some issues with the movie but as far as addressing the problematic aspects of Barbie -that was done shockingly well.
Oh I definitely plan to see it. And I'm sure I'll enjoy it.
I understand it addresses all the problematic aspects of the doll itself, but there are problematic aspects of the movie that I wonder if or how it addresses. Like, fine, mock Mattel for its all male board room. While you make Mattel boatloads of money and enhance its brand value. That kind of thing.
I think Barbie is catching flak because I'm in a generally jaded and pessimistic frame of mind about gender issues.
I always appreciate your perspective, and I love hearing the blogher founding story again! I would say… See the movie. Like TW, I was never a Barbie person and as I wrote about today on my own, Substack, it hits on all the conversations we’ve all had our whole lives about Barbie, including how little progress we have made.
I will also say that when I first heard the speech, I started to cringe a little because it was so on the nose… But the delivery is humorous because it goes on and on (and on) as she’s in increasingly different locations, preaching to different people. The quote on paper doesn’t do it justice. In part it works because it IS familiar. And it leads us right to the message that shit still hasn’t changed, even if Barbie has.
I've not seen it yet either. It does have an amazing marketing blast. I lost interest in Barbies when at six, I discovered Ken had nothing in his pants... my six year old self just did an inward huh? and decided the dolls weren't that accurate and as a result, not interesting. But the reason I will see the film is that I want to see how a talented female director might make the film relevant to existing audiences. I am glad that it is spurring conversations and stirring anger in ignorant people. No one film will change the world. But if a Barbie film was going to be made, at least it is trying to slip in some worthy ideas into what otherwise would be mindless entertainment.
I saw "Barbie" last week -- blocked off 2 hrs on my calendar and joined a friend for a 10:30am mid-day showing. No cute pink dresses, no stylish up-do's... Just curiosity about what Barbie-wisdom might impart. I admit, my senses were a little attacked by the visual stimulation of the experience (my own bias), and of course I got a lump in my throat when America Ferrera reminded me how damn difficult we've made things for ourselves.
A couple of days after the movie, I reflected on the experience and recognized that few things are really "Game Changers" -- including $billion-grossing Barbie. We leave the theatre feeling ultra motivated and inspired to be our own best selves, to feel, to see and promote the best in others, <insert a dozen more growth opportunities>. But as soon as our eyes "adjust to the light" outside the theatre... there are bills to pay, children to feed, work to find or deliver. America Ferrera's speech resonated with so many of us for a reason - and those reasons keep most of us tightly bound to turning the crank day after day without much "extra" in the margins for solving our own issues... much less society's.
I appreciated the movie (once I got past the explosion of pink and plastic) and I'm pleased that it's causing so much conversation across generational and gender groups. That conversation becomes influence... and influence leads to change (even micro-changes). And if someone weren't putting this content out there for discussion -- Greta Gerwig with the movie, Elisa and and others with insightful blog posts -- then we wouldn't even be considering whether change was needed. So thank you @Elisa for always raising the question... and the bar.
You make a good point that since everyone is on a different journey, we need conversation starters and continuances for people at every step of the path.
See the movie. I saw it last night and it very much acknowledges and exposes all of this. I am not and never have been a stereotypical Barbie girl. I heard the word patriarchy more times during the movie run time than I ever have and I live with Denise and majored in women’s studies. None of it was revelatory for me but it felt sort of like being at a BlogHer conference or other space reserved for women. That being seen and seeing. I have some issues with the movie but as far as addressing the problematic aspects of Barbie -that was done shockingly well.
Oh I definitely plan to see it. And I'm sure I'll enjoy it.
I understand it addresses all the problematic aspects of the doll itself, but there are problematic aspects of the movie that I wonder if or how it addresses. Like, fine, mock Mattel for its all male board room. While you make Mattel boatloads of money and enhance its brand value. That kind of thing.
I think Barbie is catching flak because I'm in a generally jaded and pessimistic frame of mind about gender issues.
Yes, well, it definitely didn't kill the pessimism. But, I am a lesbian in Florida, so that is sort of a pervasive hell.
It isn't exactly a feel good movie.
Though interestingly it did spark a rather good conversation with one of the kids this am which definitely is unusual.
I always appreciate your perspective, and I love hearing the blogher founding story again! I would say… See the movie. Like TW, I was never a Barbie person and as I wrote about today on my own, Substack, it hits on all the conversations we’ve all had our whole lives about Barbie, including how little progress we have made.
I will also say that when I first heard the speech, I started to cringe a little because it was so on the nose… But the delivery is humorous because it goes on and on (and on) as she’s in increasingly different locations, preaching to different people. The quote on paper doesn’t do it justice. In part it works because it IS familiar. And it leads us right to the message that shit still hasn’t changed, even if Barbie has.
Oh, I'm definitely going to see it :) And now I'm off to read *your* post!
I binge watched “Shrinking” this week. What a lovely gem of a show. Thanks for the recommendation.
I've not seen it yet either. It does have an amazing marketing blast. I lost interest in Barbies when at six, I discovered Ken had nothing in his pants... my six year old self just did an inward huh? and decided the dolls weren't that accurate and as a result, not interesting. But the reason I will see the film is that I want to see how a talented female director might make the film relevant to existing audiences. I am glad that it is spurring conversations and stirring anger in ignorant people. No one film will change the world. But if a Barbie film was going to be made, at least it is trying to slip in some worthy ideas into what otherwise would be mindless entertainment.
Agree for sure.
I saw "Barbie" last week -- blocked off 2 hrs on my calendar and joined a friend for a 10:30am mid-day showing. No cute pink dresses, no stylish up-do's... Just curiosity about what Barbie-wisdom might impart. I admit, my senses were a little attacked by the visual stimulation of the experience (my own bias), and of course I got a lump in my throat when America Ferrera reminded me how damn difficult we've made things for ourselves.
A couple of days after the movie, I reflected on the experience and recognized that few things are really "Game Changers" -- including $billion-grossing Barbie. We leave the theatre feeling ultra motivated and inspired to be our own best selves, to feel, to see and promote the best in others, <insert a dozen more growth opportunities>. But as soon as our eyes "adjust to the light" outside the theatre... there are bills to pay, children to feed, work to find or deliver. America Ferrera's speech resonated with so many of us for a reason - and those reasons keep most of us tightly bound to turning the crank day after day without much "extra" in the margins for solving our own issues... much less society's.
I appreciated the movie (once I got past the explosion of pink and plastic) and I'm pleased that it's causing so much conversation across generational and gender groups. That conversation becomes influence... and influence leads to change (even micro-changes). And if someone weren't putting this content out there for discussion -- Greta Gerwig with the movie, Elisa and and others with insightful blog posts -- then we wouldn't even be considering whether change was needed. So thank you @Elisa for always raising the question... and the bar.
You make a good point that since everyone is on a different journey, we need conversation starters and continuances for people at every step of the path.