Film Review: Barbie

 So, a film about the most iconic (female) doll of all time, with decades worth of changes, faces, clothes and identities, roles, occupations and people are surprised with the overall message of feminism that shines through every moment? 

Let's be clear from the get-go: Barbie celebrates every woman, every identity and our identities are intrinsically linked to our overall power (or lack thereof) as women overall. For every step that we've taken, every day, some feel compelled to take us a few hundred steps back. 

To use a technical term, we have been quite literally biblically screwed since the start - it was Eve who tempted man and we've been stuck paying the price for it ever since. And in Barbie - which the beautiful Helen Mirren voiceover makes clear from the first frame, has been a reflection of ourselves since her arrival and the journey Barbie has been on reflects how women have changed over the decades, what power has changed for us and by us.

Yes, feminism is a key part of this film - there is no Barbie without that key message. Dictionary.com says that feminism is a "doctrine advocating for social, political and all other rights of women equal to those of men." That's the point - equal rights- not more. Rights that give us that same power to do and be who we want to be. And considering how every one is connected to each other, friends, family, colleagues, old pals - when some rise, we all do. It's as simple as that.

As Mary Wollstonecraft rightly observed (back in the late 18th century):

"...Nor will women ever fulfil the peculiar duties of their sex, till they become enlightened citizens, till they become free by being enabled to earn their own subsistence, independent of men; in the same manner, I mean, to prevent misconstruction, as one man is independent of another. Nay, marriage will never be held sacred till women, by being brought up with men, are prepared to be their companions rather than their mistresses; for the mean doublings of cunning will ever render them contemptible, whilst oppression renders them timid. So convinced am I of this truth, that I will venture to predict that virtue will never prevail in society till the virtues of both sexes are founded on reason; and till the affections common to both are allowed to gain their due strength by the discharge of mutual duties."

So, now that we're all brought to speed, onto the film. And yes, it's still a great film with that same message running through. It's a solid story, Greta Gerwig and Noah Baumbach both writers, Ms Gerwig behind the camera and Margot Robbie in the central role, shining brightly as always, with Ryan Gosling supporting as Ken. (and a multitude of other Barbies and Kens - because as I said, there are a lot of them).

The attention to detail is stunning, not just the sets, costumes that do justice to the Barbie world that we now and love, but the little details - Barbie floating from her house to her car, the objects she uses and the use of scale that we know from our own memories. 

It's a beautiful film, inside and out and America Ferrara delivers the coup de grace message that brings it all home. 

That message is the same one that runs through the film - and quick reminder, it's not the first - nor the last to have an underlying vitally important message. And it's not the first time feminism has shone through a film, this is just a much - much, more widely promoted and watched film with much brighter lights on it. 

Comedians such as Ali Wong, Taylor Tomlinson, Michelle Wolf and Iliza Shlesinger and still others have been saying it - so many women have been saying it. This film has a great script with humour and song and Ms Robbie - that's the difference here. 

And good films say something - great films say it with style. And this film, without its message is just an exercise in seeing how many shades of pink one can fit into a film. As Edward R Murrow said:

"This instrument can teach, it can illuminate; yes and even it can inspire. But it can do so only to the extent that humans are determined to use it to those ends. Otherwise it's nothing but wires and lights in a box."

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