Barbie

Starring: Margot Robbie, Ryan Gosling, America Ferrera, Ariana Greenblatt, Issa Rae, Kate McKinnon, Alexandra Shipp, Emma Mackay, Simu Liu, Kingsley Ben-Adir, Dua Lupa, John Cena, Michael Cera, Rhea Perlman, Helen Mirren (voice), Will Ferrell
Directed by: Greta Gerwig
Rating: PG-13
Genre: Comedy, Adventure
2023

Times Seen:
Tim: 2

Summary: Barbie (Margot Robbie) enjoys her perfect life in Barbieland. However, when something seems to go wrong inside her, she and Ken (Ryan Gosling) depart for the real world.

Review:

Tim: I've see Greta Gerwig's Barbie twice now and I'm still astonished at what she was able to achieve here. You'd think this would be a potentially massive franchise opportunity and I can imagine studio heads pushing for a broad, audience appealing, kid-focused film. That would make total movie studio sense, right? It's inexplicable that Gerwig (and cowriter Noah Baumbach) took the film in a widely different direction. This is a movie that tackles grown-up issues. It's a movie for women, not girls (although girls will likely still enjoy it). It's a film that examines real societal issues while always delivering an entertaining, comedy-first approach. There's nothing quite like Barbie and it's no surprise it was a major success. Domestically, Barbie made $636 million at the box office, taking the crown for 2023. That's good enough to be the 11th highest grossing film of all time. A stunning success. But, will studios learn the right lessons? (probably not). This is a film written for women with care, appreciation, and love. It's a movie that doesn't water down women's experiences to being the romantic interest. It's wickedly funny, so intelligent, warm, and entertaining. This is the kind of movie women (and many others, me included) want more of! This is a film that treats women as human beings, instead of a lesser demographic. It's all so obvious when you watch this film, it's just that Gerwig has done it all better than just about anyone else.

The story is so surprising, at times bizarre, but powerful. I still can't believe the film so fervently attacked the patriarchy. It's no wonder so many right-wing morons lost their minds over this movie. Empowering women like this is dangerous and it's exactly what our world needs. The messages throughout this film are powerful and I sincerely hope more women take notice. This all comes to a boil during America Ferrera's wonderful monologue about the expectations of women. It's brilliantly written and perfectly delivered by Ferrera. Ferrera is strong throughout the entire film, but I feel like it's that speech that really rocketed her to receiving an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actress.

Speaking of awards, the film received 8 Academy Award nominations, including Best Picture, but (notoriously) not for Best Director. I think Gerwig got screwed. It did make me sad that the film was only able to win 1 award, for Best Original Song. You attack the patriarchy, though, and old men will find a way to put you in your place. I jest lightly, but I do believe this had something to do with it. You can't craft one of the best movies of the year, a powerful, emotional movie and then see far lesser films awards you deserved without wondering what's really going on. I like Martin Scorsese, but Killers of the Flower Moon was overly long and not nearly as memorable as this one. Come on.

I've buried the lead of Margot Robbie's fantastic performance, so shame on me. This movie doesn't work without the stunning work of Robbie bringing stereotypical Barbie to life. She's absolutely perfect in the role and gives a pitch perfect performance from beginning to end. She's so funny and willing to embrace the absurd in this role. Her delivery of, "She thinks I'm a fascist? I don't control the railways or the flow of commerce” is absolutely incredible. Robbie is one of the best actresses out there and she made this movie. Interestingly, the Academy couldn't find room for her in Best Actress. Ryan Gosling was nominated for Best Actor here and I do think it was a good decision. Gosling is hilarious as Ken, making him one of the most unforgettable characters I've seen in many, many years. He makes a tremendous partner for Robbie- the two work exceptionally well together. Gosling is ideal for this role and gives a wonderfully larger-than-life performance.

The cast here is massive. I liked seeing Issa Rae as one of the Barbies. I'm not a big fan of Kate McKinnon, but she added a ton of humor as Weird Barbie. Alexandra Shipp was enjoyable. I loved seeing Simu Liu as a rival Ken- we need much more of him on the big screen, please. Kingsley Ben-Adir added a great Ken performance, too. Michael Cera absolutely made me laugh as Alan. So absurd. As I said, America Ferrera is amazing in her role, giving a career-best performance. I'll never forget how she delivered that exceptional speech. Ariana Greenblat was great, too. She worked well with Ferrera and continues to emerge as a top young talent. It was nice seeing Rhea Perlman in her small role. I loved that Helen Mirren narrated, and she did an outstanding job- one of the best narrators I've ever heard. She took up more space than most who narrate, which was good for the movie. Will Ferrell killed me in a consistently hilarious, absurd role. The cast in this film really do exceptional work.

I had a blast with Barbie. It features some of the best writing I've seen in years. The movie is endlessly quotable and the cast embrace the ludicrous dialogue and deliver it perfectly. It's rare to see a movie that is so consistently funny while also delivering a showstopping, powerful message. The film deserved to win far more awards than it did, but I'm glad Billie Eilish won for "What Was I Made For?", a truly great song that makes the movie around it better. This whole production is a massive win for everyone involved. I never would have expected to see a Barbie movie so focused on existentialism, on consumerism, on feminism, on the damage patriarchy has done to this world. I cannot believe this movie exists and I love that it does.

Rating 1-10
Tim's Rating: 8



If You Enjoyed This Movie, We Recommend: Little Women (2019), Lady Bird, Bombshell