A reluctant viewer’s take on the Barbie movie
When I first heard that a Barbie movie was coming out, I paid no attention. I assumed it was a children’s movie, and well, our youngest grandchild is a teenager now, so it held no interest for me.
Then one of my teenage granddaughters said she couldn’t wait for the release, and shortly after, I started to hear rumblings about “feminist propaganda.” Now I was intrigued.
Curious, yes, but not enough to put together any plans to go or actually purchase tickets.
Then one of my daughters suggested we make a family outing of it. Well, there are few things I won’t do if it means spending the afternoon with some of my children and grandchildren…so off we went to the movie.
I was pleasantly surprised. I enjoyed Barbie much more than I expected I would. I laughed a lot, and I even cried…twice. Isn’t that what we are looking for in a movie? To feel something. And occasionally to experience an aha moment, when you say, “Yes, that is exactly what I would say…if only I had a speech writer.”
I was not expecting a moment like that in Barbie. But when Gloria (played by America Ferrera) delivered her monologue on the challenges of being a woman, I was suddenly silently sobbing…for myself and all the other women caught up in the impossible contradictory expectations for women. It was validating and cathartic.
If you are female and have already seen the movie…or have no intention of seeing Barbie…I highly recommend you read Gloria’s speech in full. (Don’t read it before seeing the movie though; it will spoil the effect.)
If you are male and interested in better understanding the struggles facing the women in your life, you should read it too.
I would also be interested in hearing about the impossible contradictory requirements put upon men. From the outside looking in, I’d say, they go something like this:
- Be sensitive, but not too sensitive. Be vulnerable, but never appear weak.
- Do whatever it takes to be successful in your career, but always be there fully-engaged for your family.
- Don’t care too much about outward appearances, but still look your best, and know when and how to compliment the appearance of the women in your life.
Just to name a few.
Acknowledging the absurdity of all the requirements we place on ourselves and each other is perhaps the first step in setting them aside. Do we always have to be extraordinary? Always striving for perfection…or even the perfect balance? It’s exhausting. The older I get, the more I just want to enjoy being ordinary…awkward…unpredictable (even to myself)…perfectly imperfect.
Your turn
- 1. Have you seen Barbie? If so, what did you think?
- Do you remember Allan (Ken’s friend)? What about pregnant Midge? Growing Up Skipper? Or Sugar Daddy Ken? (Find more discontinued dolls here.)
- What else is on your mind? Anything at all; it doesn’t have to be Barbie-related. I just love hearing from you.
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I LOVED the Barbie movie! I saw it on opening night with a group of girlfriends before I heard anything about it really. I was so pleasantly surprised by it. I laughed a lot and cried three times. I then took Elsie to see it, because it had such beautiful commentary about motherhood. I cried again, even though I knew what to expect. haha!
I remembered growing up skipper, but not the other discontinued dolls. I loved the set design. It was very nostalgic to watch after so many years of playing with Barbies.
I’m glad you enjoyed it, and that you got to go with so many wonderful people! 💕
How fun, Liz! I’m glad you got to enjoy the movie with friends and with your daughter. I enjoyed the Barbie nostalgia as well. As I recall my childhood Barbies, I spent most of my time changing their clothes. They had jobs, hobbies, and families, which I enjoyed thinking up and even explaining, but for me the actual performance of any of those things wasn’t nearly as interesting as their wardrobes! 😁
That’s what I recall as well. I was talking to one of my friends after the movie about how we would spend hours setting up their houses and change their clothes, only to actually “play” for about 15 minutes.
Exactly! I would probably still enjoy the setup and wardrobe even now. 😂
I haven’t had a chance to see the Barbie movie, but after reading your post, I really want to! What a fun outing for you and your family! Your last paragraph really hits home with me. I also want to be like that!
It was a lot of fun, Michelle. I have gotten better about just being me without worrying so much about society’s expectations as I have matured. That’s not to say I’m 100 percent there, but certainly more relaxed about things than I was when I was younger.
Hi Christie – I doubt I’ll go and see it. I don’t go to movies by myself and I can’t imagine dragging my poor husband along. I’d go to it in a heartbeat if it was a family outing though – I go anywhere with my kids and grandkids too!
I read the monologue (thanks for the link) and totally agree, but I also agree with what you said about male expectations too. We’ve certainly made life complicated for ourselves haven’t we? I think that’s why I’m looking for a simpler, more “real” retirement – because I’m less immersed in the world and social media, so I feel free-er to be me these days. x
I understand Leanne. While there were men in the audience, it’s definitely geared to women and girls. My husband was not in the least interested in going. I agree that we, as a society, have complicated things for both women and men. I too am relaxing away from many of those expectations for myself and others in this stage of life.
Interesting, I think you’ve just persuaded me to go and see it. Although aware of the hype, I don’t do “pink”, so haven’t read any of the reviews. How easy it is to dismiss something based purely on assumptions.
So true, Caree, we do tend to dismiss things too quickly sometimes. I would say if you didn’t play with Barbies as a child, some of the nostalgia and humor would be lost. You may still enjoy it regardless, but maybe not as much.
I do want to see it, but am finding that too many of my acquaintances think it’s “beneath them” to see. Oppenheimer, yes. Barbie, a resounding no. So, I’m thinking it might be a solo outing – which is a challenging thing for me to do actually.
Someone forwarded me the monologue clip you mentioned, so the impact is gone if I see the movie. But seeing the clip made me want to see the movie even more!
Isn’t it funny how we assign worth even to the movies we watch, Pat? I actually would like to see Oppenheimer as well. That one my husband is up for seeing with me. I agree that going to the movies solo is a bit challenging, but once you’re in a dark theater, it doesn’t matter so much. I’ll be interested to hear what you think of Barbie. Please let me know.
Christie, I will have to see the movie because my thoughts about Barbie aren’t kind. I have always considered ‘fashion dolls’ to be the undoing of the everyday woman. Perfection was the ideal being promoted by toy companies, and we were expected to aspire to that end. Anything short of that meant we would not be happy and contented. My daughter saw the movie and loved it, although she thought they went a little heavy-handed on the message. I’ll check it out and let you know what I think afterward.
I do understand your perspective on fashion dolls, Suzanne. It’s a legitimate concern, one I share with you. Still, I have many happy memories of playing Barbies with my sisters and friends, and the movie tapped in to that nostalgia for me. I also do not disagree with your daughter that the message was a little heavy-handed at times, but obviously did not take away from my enjoyment. I look forward to hearing what you think of the movie.
I find the backlash so weird, and can only assume it’s by men that don’t like a female directed movie with a female lead and female heavy cast is a global sensation (how dare people be interested in movies that aren’t all about men and heros??). Not only that, it’s out grossing a male heavy movie (and I love Christopher Nolan and also really liked Oppenheimer – more than my husband did, so no shade on that one either). My husband came with me and my daughter and loved it, laughed his head off. My son went with friends, and enjoyted it. I know a family with 2 adult sons that went as a family and the sons dressed up. I think there’s a vocal bunch of old men who are weirdly threatened by it. It’s a comedy, it’s funny but it hits nostalgia for some of us, it nails parenting teens and for most people, that’s it. But basic feminism is not a bad thing or an eradication of mens rights or whatever they think it is…that just means they want to keep women subserviant to them. And that is totally ick. #WWandP
I also find the backlash a bit weird, Lydia, especially considering all the violent super hero movies that are so popular and receive little if any criticism. There were men in the audience when I saw Barbie, and while I wasn’t close enough to see their reactions, only one walked out. I agree with your take on the movie…funny, nostalgic, and well representative of parenting. I want to see Oppenheimer next.
Hi Christie, your post (and other reports) have made me want to see the movie now. My daughter took her young daughter and most went over her head but my daughter really enjoyed it! I didn’t think it would have the pathos and depth that people are giving it so now I’m keen. I have read some of the speech you mention and it all make so much sense. Your comments at the end of your post sums up exactly how i feel as I get older! ‘The older I get, the more I just want to enjoy being ordinary…awkward…unpredictable (even to myself)…perfectly imperfect.’ Thanks for the impetus to see the movie and think on these issues.
Overall, the movie is a fun comedy, and perhaps that is why the depth of it took me by surprise, Deb, and why the speech hit me so hard. I hope you will come back and let me know what you think of the movie once you’ve seen it. Here’s to being perfectly imperfect!
Hi Christie, I’ve not seen Barbie (in fact, it has been ages since I went to the cinema). Lovely that you made an outing out of it and I was interested in your thoughts. I think for most of us, we hesitate to see it because we think of the negatives associated with Barbie. From what I’ve heard though perhaps it is for the thinking person Barbie. Thanks for the review. Now to find someone to go with….
I understand the hesitancy about supporting Barbie, Sue. The concerns still hold true, but I did enjoy the movie, and as you said, it made me think. I don’t go to the cinema much either, but when I do, I always wonder why I don’t go more often. It’s a completely different experience than watching movies at home on the small screen. If you end up watching Barbie, I’d love to hear your take.
I was really interested in what you had to say about Barbie the movie. I was not a fan (too old) and neither was my daughter but I think my older granddaughters may have been with some of her ‘stuff’. One, who is 26, has already been twice and loved it and her degree is in Film so I suspect she had more than usual interest.
I don’t mind going to the cinema alone but unsure whether I want to see it “that” much.
Thank you for linking up this week for WWandPics on Denyse Whelan Blogs to Connect. Next week, I hope you join in again too, and be there to read my “C” for change & connection post! Warm wishes, Denyse.
I can see where the movie would have less appeal without the nostalgia factor, Denyse. I’m glad your granddaughter enjoyed it, especially considering her degree in film. I imagine there was a lot of things she noticed that a layperson like myself missed or took for granted.
I haven’t seen it but my son went with his friends and said it was great! I have already seen the monologue and immediately thought to myself many of the same male contradictions you mentioned here. I definitely plan to watch it once it is streaming somewhere but don’t see taking myself to the movies to the see it; I probably would if I had had a fun family outing like yours!
Hello Joanne. I’m surprised and pleased that so many have mentioned that their male family members enjoyed the Barbie movie. All of us humans face opposing pressures and contradictory requirements. If only we would cut each other…and ourselves…more slack. I assume Barbie will be streaming soon. I’d love to hear what you think of it.
Have you seen Barbie? Like you I didn’t think much about the movie when it came out, BUT after reading so many good reviews of it, I want to see it.
Do you remember Allan (Ken’s friend)? I don’t remember Allan at all.
Growing Up Skipper? I had a Skipper and liked her because she had cute clothes.
Pregnant Midge and Sugar Daddy Ken are new to me.
Hello Ally. Like you, I had no intention of seeing the movie, but am glad that I did. I’ll be curious to hear if you feel the same, assuming you decide to go. I was not familiar with most of the discontinued Barbie line, but can see why each one didn’t last long. I had a traditional Skpper doll as well. The Growing Up Skipper develops breasts with a twist of the arm!
I would like to see it. I’m looking for someone to go with. (I don’t think it would be Mark’s thing.) Maybe you and Heidi could see it a second time and we could make a girls night out of it! 🩷 If I don’t see it I will definitely watch the clip.
I would definitely go again with you and Heidi, if we can make our schedules work. I think you would enjoy it, Cindy.
Your subject line tempted me to read while I’m taking a blogging break!
I did not have a Barbie as I’m English, so I had a Sindy. My American friends had Barbies and Sindy always looked rather dull in comparison, if more physically normal. My daughter had many a Barbie, but I had no interest in seeing the film until I heard about it (and read the America Ferrara piece). Oddly, it was Himself who was keen to see it, so he will find it for us to download when he can (we don’t go to the cinema – the volume plays havoc with Himself’s sensitive hearing. I’m also interested in Oppenheimer, but it does sound like it’s been trumped by the Pink! 😀
I had not heard of the Sindy doll, Debs, so I had to Google it. I’m sure the Barbie movie will be streaming somewhere soon. I’d love to hear what you think once you’ve seen it. Oppenheimer is next on my list of movies to see.
Hi Christie, I had no desire to see Barbie, however after reading your post I just might go. Maybe take my daughter and grand girls! The weekend it opened here, the movie Sound of Freedom opened. This was not a happy go movie, it was an eye opener. Have you seen Sound of Freedom?
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I have not seen Sound of Freedom, Debra. I just read some reviews, and while it does seem pretty heavy, it sounds like a good movie. Thanks for the recommendation. If you decide to see Barbie, I’d love to hear your thoughts.
Oh, Christie…ditto, ditto, ditto. Wish I had better command of the English language, because I thought everything you shared but just couldn’t find the words to say it myself. We loved – the girls – the movie. I think the boys liked it well enough. We rented a theater so the littles could dance when the mood struck…or whine or cry or have a dirty diaper!! I laughed out loud and teared up, too. I was reminded of a book called “I’m Dancing as Fast as I Can”. Story of most women’s lives these days.
Love that you all took in the movie together. And wore pink and black and took a group selfie. Yay for you gals!! Girl power!!
Hello Leslie! I’m so glad you enjoyed Barbie as much as I did. What a great idea to rent the theater for the family. I’m going to check into that option around here next time there’s a movie I want all the family to see. We don’t really have any littles anymore, but it just sounds like a good time.