crazy that anyone thinks barbie is “anti-man” when it literally depicted the ways society also has a set of rules for men and how they feel empty having their worth be defined by their girlfriends, material goods, and their expression of masculinity — and how boys are victim to falling down an alt-right pipeline trying to get that value back. even when it’s all said and done and ken cries, and barbie tells him it’s okay, he’s embarrassed and says he shouldn’t be — but barbie talks him through how it’s important. where are all of the men’s mental health warriors now?? how is it anti-man when barbie acknowledged the emotional suppression men face at the hands of the patriarchy as well?
I dont know if anyone else felt this way, but Barbieland had an affect on me in a way I really didnt expect.
Starting the film there, its just fun and silly and camp. Yes of course all the Barbies do every job and they have political power its this crazy pink paradise hahahaha
And then when she goes to the real world, rollerblading down Venice Beach, I found myself accutely feeling the loss. That Barbieland was a world without those gazes to make you self consious. The freedom to exist in ‘sexy’ outfits without being sexualized. Barbieland had that! I didnt appreciate how comforting that was until Barbie lost it.
And then when the Kens take over, its comedic and Im laughing, but there was something in me that was deeply uncomfortable. I squirmed at every brainwashed Barbie’s line. Their subservience made me… sad. Sad in a way I’ve yet to really put my finger on. But it wasnt until this scene that I realized that I was attached to Barbieland’s fantasy as a safe place. I was a little taken aback by how much I wanted this toy land’s status quo back.
Im struggling to find the words to express what I mean, but I hope Im not alone in this feeling I got. I think beginning the film in Barbieland before the audience has a chance to compare the real world (as presented in the film) to it was a stroke of genius. It really lets you get into Barbie’s head as she experiences these jarring changes. And at least in my case, it lulled me into a false sense of security that set me up for a big emotional smack later on.
the complexity of feminism in Barbie (2023) is just *mwah* chef’s kiss
residents of barbieland thinking barbie fixed everything. barbie near-immediately being sexualized and objectified in the real world. teenage girls thinking barbie is horribly misogynistic and supports the patriarchy. so many people on the Mattel board only valuing barbie due to consumerism. barbie thinking she can’t do anything and someone else will come and fix misogyny. barbies brainwashed into enjoying being subservient. barbie feeling like she isn’t enough. gloria telling her she is enough. gloria pointing out the difference between giving women equal treatment and “society claiming they have empowered women by actions they have already done to justify any possible misogynistic action in the future.” gloria saying how nothing women do ever satisfies the patriarchy. the movie itself acknowledging that the movie’s view on feminism is from a white perspective. THE MOVIE EMPHASIZING HOW FEMINISM ISN’T SUPPORTING A MATRIARCHAL IDEAL, IT’S GIVING ALL GENDERS EQUAL RIGHTS AND RIGHT TO IDENTITY. paralleling real world society by giving kens only a foothold in power like giving women only a foothold in power.
feminism isn’t a giant chunk of an idea that can easily be discredited into something as simple as “support women.” it’s a complex issue with individuals of different perspectives that deals with intersectionality and confronting completely new worlds in an attempt to understand others. long story short this movie is a masterpiece
