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This article was originally published on July 21, 2023.
On January 23, 2024,Barbiewasnominated for eight Oscars, including Best Picture.
Be sure to also read Allison P. Davis close-read analysis of what Greta Gerwig istrying to tell us.
For most of its runtime,Barbieis a battle of the sexes.
The Kens go to war, and are too distracted to notice the Barbies coup.
Maybe someday there will even be more than one Ken on the Barbie Supreme Court!
Not every night has to be girls night, Margot Robbies Stereotypical Barbie concedes.
But what about Barbie?
I dont think I have an ending, she says.
Enter Ruth Handler (Rhea Perlman), co-founder of Mattel and the inventor of the Barbie doll.
Ruth is warm and wise, with a sincere belief that Barbie represents infinite possibilities for girls.
She also has a double mastectomy and tax evasion issues.
Thats close to the truth, at least.
The real accusations were more akin to a short selling scheme.
(See another Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling movie,The Big Short,for more on that.)
But tax evasion is pithier.
Ruth is the closest thing Barbie has to a mother.
Barbie remains anxious about her future, which is a new emotion for her.
(As much as one can be ordinary when one looks like Margot Robbie.)
I want to be the one imagining, not the idea, she tells Ruth.
But theres more going on underneath that sentiment.
Barbie would be more objectified in the real world than she was in Barbie Land.
So why does she want to become human at all?
The essence of womanhood, and humanity, doesnt have anything to do with careers or outfits.
By taking Ruths hand, Barbie becomes another link in this infinite chain of mothers and children.
These are personal themes for Gerwig.
But thats too bold of a choice even for this movie.
Im here to see my gynecologist, she declares, happily.
Shes a Handler now, like Ruth.
