Yesterday – Sarah and I went to see The Barbie movie.\u00a0 The theatre was pretty full and you could feel the excitement for what was to come.\u00a0 Different ages.\u00a0 Some older, some younger, some families.\u00a0 Let me just say in advance, it’s not a movie for kids.\u00a0 Not because of inappropriate content, but more so because kids probably won’t really understand the meaning.\u00a0 This movie is for us women who grew up with Barbie.\u00a0 We have a love for the doll but also a realization about how misleading the perfection is.<\/p>\n
I loved it.\u00a0 I honestly loved it.\u00a0 I grew up with Barbie.\u00a0 \u00a0But a simple Barbie.\u00a0 \u00a0I don’t remember the “career” Barbies.\u00a0 In my day, it was what every girl wanted.\u00a0 More often than not, I had the knockoff Barbie.\u00a0 The “no name” version that often broke.\u00a0 Barbie was always big business.\u00a0 It wasn’t enough to have the Barbie.\u00a0 You needed the clothes, the accessories, the dream house, the corvette, the camper, and all the other “stuff”.\u00a0 \u00a0 I think Barbie represented possibility.\u00a0 \u00a0No more playing with baby dolls.\u00a0 Barbie represented us as we grew up.\u00a0 What was possible.<\/p>\n
\n“The main takeaway from \u201cBarbie\u201d is that life as a real woman is significantly more difficult but resolutely more worthwhile than \u201clife in plastic\u201d could ever be.”<\/strong><\/a><\/h2>\n<\/blockquote>\n
I loved to play dress up with Barbie and take her on adventures.\u00a0 I never looked at her like something I could never be or do.\u00a0 That stuff came as I got older.\u00a0 And I think that message comes across in the movie.\u00a0 We don’t want to see perfection represented.\u00a0 We want to see real life.\u00a0 And Barbie doesn’t represent that.\u00a0 As we see in the movie, America Ferrara’s character wants to see “anxious Barbie”\u00a0 or something more REAL and RELATABLE.\u00a0 Not something so impossible to obtain.<\/p>\n
We see Barbie as this unobtainable image for most women.\u00a0 \u00a0Impossible figure.\u00a0 \u00a0Impossible perfection.\u00a0 \u00a0In one way an encouragement to be all you can be.\u00a0 Another way a slap in the face because it is so far from reality from most of us.<\/p>\n
This movie was full of messaging.\u00a0 From feeling unworthy and imperfect, questioning purpose, comparing and judgement.\u00a0 To valuing yourself and owning your uniqueness.\u00a0 \u00a0Knowing who you are individually and embracing imperfections and owning it all.<\/p>\n
This movie addresses the pros and cons of Barbie and the impact a doll has had on girls in our society.\u00a0 \u00a0Creating an impossible standard of perfection.\u00a0 \u00a0It’s about women and how they feel about themselves and not seeing themselves represented in a doll.\u00a0 \u00a0So many contradictions in who we should be and how we should act.\u00a0 A brilliant performance by America Ferrara got the crowd in the theatre to start applauding when she raised her voice against all that we are asked to be and do and act when it can all be so confusing and limiting.<\/p>\n
\n“The movie is for everyone to see and enjoy, but ultimately \u201cBarbie\u201d is truly a film by women, about women, for women”<\/a><\/h2>\n<\/blockquote>\n
There’s a lot to take in with this movie.\u00a0 Ken (played by Ryan Gossling brilliantly) is another character with some important messaging as well.\u00a0 He has no value without Barbie.\u00a0 He needs to be seen by her to feel important or worthy.\u00a0 \u00a0When he finds the “real world” he suddenly takes a darker turn and turns everything upside down in Barbie Land.\u00a0 \u00a0He, along with the other “Kens” try to dominate and take back control over Barbie land.\u00a0 Taking the voices away from the Barbies.<\/p>\n
There is a quote from one of the reviews online that reads “As much as there’s a celebration of femininity and being a girl in this [movie], I think there’s also an encouragement of letting go of the checklist we ascribe to living and living your life and being in your body your way, on your own terms.”<\/p>\n
Watch for a\u00a0few cameos in the movie – John Cena – the wrestler – makes an appearance. Dua Lipa who brought us one of the big songs from the movie soundtrack is IN it – she plays Mermaid Barbie in the movie. Helen Mirren -her voice comes in with a little humour for the audience as well.<\/p>\n
Overall – 8 out of ten.\u00a0 Such a good movie with so much fun, laughter and some wisdom too.<\/p>\n
Well done.\u00a0 Loved it.\u00a0 Go see it.\u00a0 Highly recommend.<\/p>\n
Let me know what YOU thought~<\/p>\n