And why men must watch Barbie

1. To understand women’s point of view
2. To see how patriarchy has affected you too
3. To learn to accept yourself just the way you are

This one works for all the moods: happy, sad or feeling like learning something new.

INTRO

Barbie might be ultra-pink and super glossy, but it certainly isn’t the saccharine-covered superficial spectacle many expected it to be. Instead, it serves as a bold, captivating and thought-provoking exploration of gender dynamics in our world. It cleverly illustrates the impact of patriarchal systems on both men and women. This one, digs deep, guys.

WHY BARBIE

The blonde doll is a complex and polarising icon. Many don’t consider it feminist at all, including the director Greta Gerwing’s own mum. It has become an emblem for unrealistic plastic perfection, which could erode young girls’ confidence. However, its purpose was far from that. Invented in 1959, Barbie has had an impressive range of careers and even went to the Moon before women could have credit cards. She never did two things though – get married or had children, which was intentionally chosen by her creator Ruth Handler, who didn’t want girls to aspire only to marriage and motherhood. It was ahead of its time, but with its visual identity – often a bit behind as well. This is why Margaret Hadley Sherwood, or Midge aka the “Pregnant Barbie” didn’t last long (some even considered it encouraged teenage pregnancy). Sugar Daddy Ken and Earring Magic Ken were also a real thing and short-lived as well. It’s precisely the duality and contradiction that drew the director in to the doll and the film embraces Barbie’s multifaceted nature. After all, nothing in life is truly one dimensional. By initially dazzling viewers with Barbie’s shiny exterior, Greta only sets the stage to reveal a much more profound message because that’s where it’s least expected.

WHY PINK

Is pink “too girlie” for you and why is “too girly” a bad thing? Well, the history of the colour may have something to do with it. While previously it was associated with men and blue was linked to girls, over time perceptions have shifted. Before Pride existed, pink triangles were used as a sign of shame in concentration camps to identify gay men.Later influential figures with fondness for the colour, like Marilyn Monroe and Mamie Eisenhower helped further cement the female connotation. If you ever thought that liking pink makes you uncool, Paul Simon of The Clash had some very interesting words for you:”Pink is the only true rock ‘n’ roll colour”. Other punk bands like The Ramones and The Sex Pistols also favoured the hue.So, by wearing pink you might be way more punk than you thought. Barbie’s pink vision serves a higher purpose than simply adding a softer dreamier filter to the feature. It challenges stereotypes and it reclaims the colour pink as a symbol of empowerment. Furthermore, it transcends gender as everyone feels comfortable wearing it in the film.

WHIO IS BARBIE FOR

Just like the trailer suggest, this film is for everyone – whether you hate Barbie or love her, because it presents arguments for both sides. It should appeal to anyone willing to explore the nuances of gender politics and societal structures. Kens this is for you too! Critics who dismiss the film’s intellectual merits and assume that it’s only intended for young girls couldn’t be more mistaken. Maybe the PG13 certificate should have also served as a clue that this is not a kid’s film. Barbie also cleverly incorporates several cultural and movie references, and yes, we do know who Kubrick is. Sorry, not sorry Ben Shapiro!

THE SPEECH

In a pivotal moment in the movie, America Ferrera’s character delivers a powerful, soul-stirring speech that strikes a chord with every woman who has struggled with the weight of expectations placed on females. Her words awaken the Barbie characters from their patriarchal slumber.

Of course, in real life it could be a lot harder to break through societal norms that have been passed down from generation to generation, perpetuating a cycle of limited possibilities for women and even internalised misogyny. It’s hard to forget the many years of them being denied education and access to information that could lead to their empowerment.

However, for a lot of people after learning more about how patriarchy works, the realisation dawns that, despite progress, true equality remains elusive, dispelling the belief that the fight is over or that women have achieved everything they want and need.

Finally, America’s monologue serves as a rallying cry for every woman who has ever felt dismissed, silenced or been labelled a “bullshit feminist”. It’s also for anyone who’s ever made to feel they weren’t enough. This includes all men who feel the pressure to conform to often limiting patriarchal masculinity standards.

WHY KEN

All of this is just as much Ken’s journey as Barbie’s. His transformation might even be more intense. He goes from a man, who’s only happy when a woman looks at him (while she has fun every day with her female friends) to a person, who is “Kenough”. With the rise of incel culture and many men basing their value on sexual conquests, this is quite an important message right now.

Unsurprisingly, Ryan Gosling doesn’t just shine all the way through, but often steals the show completely with his talent for physical comedy. He doesn’t need to say much to say a lot. With this role he wanted to give a voice to all the Ken dolls, only seen as accessory to Barbie and well, he did that and so much more.

Like Barbie and Margot Robbie, his astoundingly good looks are there to mimic the dolls’ and not serve as an aspirational role model for perfection. Though it can be relatable to see that no matter how beautiful we may deem people, anyone can experience moments of self-doubt and feel unattractive. Plus, in all fairness, big names always help sell a film and if the A-list cache helps amplify its reach, so be it!

WHY ALAN

If you haven’t felt seen on screen much, Alan might be there for you. He’s there for anyone who ever felt like they didn’t belong. By echoing the doll’s lack of success to find its place in the real world, his character is a bit lost too. Is he a Barbie or is he a Ken? Well, he can be whatever he wants to be and so can all of us. It’s a reminder that individuality is exactly what makes people interesting and worth knowing. So go be your wonderful Alan self and know someone is thinking of you as well!

MISANDRY, WHERE?

• People who wrongly perceive this movie as an attempt to dismantle men’s power miss the point entirely. It does not advocate for misandry or the replacement of one form of dominance with another. Rather, it seeks to unveil the subtleties of gender dynamics. The intention is not to emasculate men but to inspire growth, empathy, and progress towards a more equal society.

• Barbie going to the real world offers a compelling reflection on how women navigate a world dominated by men, and the Barbie land role-reversal demonstrates how men react when the tables are turned – unsurprisingly they don’t like it. Even when they were filming the rollerblading scene bystanders were ogling Margot, while simultaneously high-fiving Ryan.

• After Ken witnesses how Barbie is treated in the real world, he seems unphased because his experience is much better, so he doesn’t really see the problem, much like many do nowadays as well. This is why the story is told in a way for male viewers to find themselves in the shoes of women, experiencing firsthand the societal pressures, objectification, and inequality they endure daily.

• Barbie land isn’t really portrayed as a matriarchal utopia, which is why it’s aimed to represent a suggested new reality. For instance, “Weird Barbie” is marginalised and excluded for being stereotypically beautiful and that is very far removed from the film’s overall messaging.

• Despite Greta Gerwig being a feminist icon, she co-wrote the film with her work and life partner Noah Baumbach (Marriage Story, The Squid, The Whale). Together they ensured that the male viewpoint is considered, while adding depth and balance to the narrative.

• Through Ken’s perspective, the film explores the struggle for validation tied to female attention, shedding light on the ways toxic masculinity damages men’s emotional well-being. It tackles the notion that embracing feelings, or anything considered “feminine” is a sign of weakness, encouraging a more inclusive and emotionally intelligent society.

WHY EVERYONE SHOULD SEE BARBIE

1. The film ingeniously captures the essence of female experiences, flipping the roles to show how men might feel in a society where the scales are imbalanced. It doesn’t undermine men or promote misandry; rather, it serves as a mirror to reflect upon the discrepancies that exist in our society.
2. Moreover, it defies the idea of an “angry feminist” as a term used to dismiss women’s valid concerns. It poignantly points out that if men were subjected to the same daily challenges and injustices, they, too, would likely feel anger and frustration.
3. Barbie also underscores how patriarchy denies men their full emotional range and the freedom to embrace their femininity. It showcases how toxic masculinity perpetuates harmful traits that suppress emotions and self-expression, causing further harm to men in the process.
4. An unsettling truth is that some societies still treat women as possessions and pretty much encourage collecting them like dolls. It’s no surprise that many have quickly jumped to cancel cinema screenings. So, if you could watch it, do it for those who cannot!
5. Use it as litmus test for potential partners to reveal those who are open to questioning traditional gender norms and those who perpetuate bad behaviours because they benefit from them.

CONCLUSION

This is a thought-provoking and timely film, laced with symbolism, that uses its iconic doll to deliver a bold social commentary about gender roles, empowerment, and the urgency of dismantling patriarchal systems. It challenges audiences to break free from limiting stereotypes, build mutual respect and fosters empathy by illuminating the struggles of both men and women. Rather than promoting divisiveness, it serves as a beacon of hope, urging us to come together in the pursuit of true equality. A world where everybody wants everybody to soar and doesn’t need to put them down to bring themselves up.