Embedded Files
By Sophia Doshi
Before I even saw the movie, I knew so many poplular quotes, scenes, and songs from it that I could've explained the entire plot to someone who also hasn't seen it before and convince them that I had. Of course, social media can spoil a movie for someone, but I am glad I saw this movie in increments instead of in one whole sitting. Having people in social media comment sections (i.e. Instagram, TikTok, and Youtube) explain some of the scenes, details, or easter eggs I wouldn't have originally noticed in my viewing helped me to appreciate it more. If I had seen this movie all at once, I would not have liked it as much—endless amounts of important themes were packed into its short run time, so I would've been overwhelmed.
Before I even talk about the movie, I have to give credit to its PR and marketing team. Holy guacamole, they worked their butts off leading up to summer (the Barbenheimer phenomenon is an entire other can of worms) which led to billions of dollars in the box office ($1.442 billion). Everywhere you looked, it was Barbie, pink, purses, promotional movie posters, film clips, and Margot Robbie looking like a real-life Barbie in her Versace, Hervé Léger, and Chanel looks, among others. Even now that Barbie is available on HBO Max and the fervor has died down, nods to the movie are found everywhere. In fact, my college dorm has several Barbie-themed bulletin boards to introduce the RAs. I'm not complaining, though—I think it's adorable.
Image from The NYT
And finally, for the movie:
This may be a tough opinion for some to receive, but I don't think it was as moving or emotional as the general audience that viewed it believed. I think the dialogue, the themes, and the production drastically elevated the messages and targeted takeaway of the movie. It also doesn't hurt that Greta Gerwig (also directed Ladybird) is a genius in directing.
I am surprised—genuinely—that I did not cry during this movie. I get super emotional over even the smallest, silliest little things (I saw a man packing up live eels to sell at a market; I heard The Shire from The Lord of the Rings played live; when my grandparents dropped me off after they brought me back to college post-day trip; every movie with any slightly emotional scene ever) so not crying before, during, or after this movie was quite the feat for me. However, I did come away with a reality check, especially with Gloria's (America Ferrera) monologue about the expectations that society has for women. That was probably my favorite part of the movie.
Since it is a beautiful yet heart-wrenching speech, here it is in case you haven't seen the movie or you want a refresher:
"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.
"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.
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."
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."
For my female readers, I know you resonate with her words, and I'm sorry we all go through this. At least we go through this together; that's just about the only positive part of it.
Enough with the sappy stuff. I want to give some shoutouts to the parts of the movie, marketing, production, and cast that I loved:
Before I even saw the movie, I knew so many poplular quotes, scenes, and songs from it that I could've explained the entire plot to someone who also hasn't seen it before and convince them that I had. Of course, social media can spoil a movie for someone, but I am glad I saw this movie in increments instead of in one whole sitting. Having people in social media comment sections (i.e. Instagram, TikTok, and Youtube) explain some of the scenes, details, or easter eggs I wouldn't have originally noticed in my viewing helped me to appreciate it more. If I had seen this movie all at once, I would not have liked it as much—endless amounts of important themes were packed into its short run time, so I would've been overwhelmed.
The Costumes
The Costumes
I am absolutely obsessed with the costume design in this movie, especially the color progression of Barbie's outfits throughout the movie as she arrives closer to reality. I also love how everything, no matter the character or context, is feminine on the Barbies. Femininity is not a huge theme of the movie, but fashion trends following the movie have encouraged women to embrace their feminine sides. I'm all for free expression, but I also love seeing girls being girly.
Ariana Greenblatt
Ariana Greenblatt
If you haven't heard of Ariana Greenblatt, yes you have. She's played Sasha in Barbie (of course), and she's also played young Gamora, young Ahsoka, Koa alongside Adam Driver in 65, and Matilda in Awake (starring Gina Rodriguez). Barbie has only boosted her traction, range, and likability in Hollywood and as a person.
Image from Deadline
This Barbie is...
This Barbie is...
You've probably seen the promotional posters somewhere, whether they're posted on social media, plastered in Times Square, or in your sister's bedroom. Their popping colors, catchy bylines, and vibrant characters drew me in immediately, and they're a huge part of what I associate with the movie. My favorite is Emma Mackey's poster which reads: "This Barbie has a Nobel Prize in physcs." Others feature Issa Rae, reading "This Barbie is President", or Dua Lipa's "This Barbie is a Mermaid". I absolutely love them all!
Set Design
Set Design
Hello, you've reached Barbieland, a place of pink and perfection, where every Barbie has perfect everything, including interior design.
I could not get enough of the set design, I ate it up. The bright, popping colors and agressively doll-like structures turned the set from unbelievable to believable. The set is shown off in the establishing shot when Barbie looks out over Barbieland, and is elaborated on during the dance scene with Dua Lipa's vocals topping a catchy synth.
Image from Architectural Digest
Overall, the Barbie movie was a deserving smash hit across the world. While I don't see it as the movie of the decade. it was certainly a culturally and societally relevant film that brought attention in a meaningful way to how difficult yet beautiful the transition from girlhood to womanhood is.
Cover image from IMDb
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