Greta Gerwig is knownfor consistently delivering thought-provoking, funny, and captivating narratives.Barbiehas been one of Greta’s most anticipated films, and is predicted to be a total box office hit. As expected,Barbiedominated the box office on opening weekend alone, making two times its budget and continuing to make millions. What is it that madeBarbieso successful, though? Here is whyBarbieis the superior summer blockbuster.
Gerwig always makes strong social commentaries through movies. InLady Bird, she commented on the process of leaving a small town and separating from one’s parents, specifically the daughter-mother bond that is tested through such a transition.Barbieexplores a similar dynamic between Gloria and Sasha, but this time around, the relationship evolves as Sasha transitions from childhood to adolescence.
As Sasha grows more distant from her mother, Gloria is left to discover herself outside the traditional roles set for her by society. Mother, wife, business executive, creative, woman. It’s interesting to see Gloria navigate these multiple roles and, notably, how they lead her to envision a different Barbie design; one that explores very real emotions outside the stereotypical Barbie.
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Characters
Gloria is only one of the many unique charactersGreta gives audiences. Every character is interesting in their own right. Ryan Gosling’s Ken explores a man’s search for identity, a feeling of emasculation in a female-dominated society, and how many facets of patriarchy are rooted in ignorance. Stereotypical Barbie explores a woman’s journey to step outside the status quo, both as a feminist and in the traditional Barbie mold. Stereotypical Barbie doesn’t want to be a fixture for Ken, or the role model to every small girl that owns a Barbie doll; she simply wants to be human, be part of the world, and explore life one day at a time.
The minor characters inBarbiehold their own as well; Alan feels he neither belongs with the Barbie nor Ken communities, serving as a social commentary of society’s outcasts. The Mattel CEO represents every person in the world who wants to create a different, progressive world for today’s youth, but nevertheless lacks the life experience to actually execute the task efficiently. Every character is created in a way in which audiences can self-reflect and wonder how they can better the world through their individual and collective efforts.
Sometimes, a near-two-hour movie feels just that long, if not longer;Barbieis excellently paced. Every story beat moves seamlessly without allowing moments of dullness to take over, mostly because Stereotypical Barbie has a clear mission and objective to achieve. From her journey to the real world, discovering the differences between it and Barbie Land, traveling back to Barbie Land, trying to stop Ken’s patriarchy, and her overlapping existential crisis,Barbiekeeps the plotmoving through and through.
That noted, all characters constantly react in relation to each other. Gloria jumps into action to help Stereotypical Barbie when she realizes Mattel’s CEO is bound to Barbie Land. Ken is determined to spread patriarchy, and make it the permanent government in Barbie Land. Alan joins the Barbies to stop Barbie Land from feeling less exclusive for him than it already does. The Mattel CEO is determined to avoid what he perceives as chaos between the two worlds. Every character inBarbieacts and reacts.
To reiterate, a movie’s runtime is key to delivering its message, and, notably, keeping audiences engaged;Barbie’sruntime hitsthe perfect sweet spot of a little bit short of two hours. Nevertheless,Greta Gerwig managesto incorporate a significant amount of action and overall spectacle during the film’s runtime. From the dance numbers, and elaborate sets, to the countless interactions Barbie and Ken go through, the runtime utilizes every one of its minutes strategically. No one scene ofBarbiefeels like a needless filler.
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Performances
Simply put,Barbie’ssuccess is dependent on its performers, with Margot Robbie perfectly carrying the movie despite sharing the screen with significant, skilled performers. Ryan Gosling gives a career-defining performance as Ken, the villain of the story whom audiences still find themselves caring for, a difficult feat for any actor, but Gosling delivers with charm and style. America Ferrera brings the nuance of her past performances to craft Gloria, a woman who wants to make her loved ones happy while longing to find herself outside traditional societal norms, and then conveys all these struggles in one monologue; arguably Ferrera’s best performance to date.
Robbie’s Stereotypical Barbie is forced to step outside her comfort zone to explore the real world, a place where people undergo pressure and criticism from friends and strangers alike, only to make the decision that she wants to be part of the experience. Greta Gerwig gives audiences characters that defy the stereotypes perpetuated by Barbie aficionados, instead showing that Barbie, Ken, and consumers all have desires and insecurities that drive every day of their lives. One thing is to bring in millions of dollars at the box office, butBarbiedelivers more than the commercial hype of a major summer blockbuster–Barbiemakes audiences contemplate its message long after it’s over, and that’s the true power of a summer blockbuster.
