Loved reading your take on the Barbie movie! I completely agree. I had a lot of fun watching it (even watched it twice cuz I absolutely had to have a Barbie day with my mom lol), but I was still disappointed because it didn't feel like there was as much on the whole transition of girlhood to womanhood as I was hoping there would be. I still think Greta did a great job though.
Also, if you're interested, I really recommend reading Amanda Montei's "Parenting in Barbie Land" from Mad Woman (if you haven't already), which connects the Barbie movie to motherhood. It's super interesting with a beautifully heart-wrenching ending.
Oooh I’ll definitely check that out, thanks for the rec! I admittedly also watched it twice - found the second viewing a lot more palatable, maybe because I knew what I was expecting? Beautiful sets and costumes, entertaining acting, but not my favorite writing of Gerwig’s.
Agreed! That's exactly how I felt on the second watch. But yeah, I still wasn't all that crazy about the Gloria monologue the second time around. But, otherwise, I think knowing what to expect made it more palatable!
Apparently Greta had to fight with Mattel to get the scene where Barbie calls the old woman beautiful into the final cut. So I think she still did the best she could with the themes, given who she had to work with, even if it did come across as #girlboss intro to feminism at times. I think the film really shined when it was highlighting Barbie just getting in touch with humanity and of course, Greta’s bread and butter, motherhood and girlhood.
Greta is such a talented writer, many moments like that did come through to me as quite touching! I think if anything the general nature the feminism presented in the movie was likely useful in capturing a broader audience. There’s definitely levels to it all!
Loved reading your take on the Barbie movie! I completely agree. I had a lot of fun watching it (even watched it twice cuz I absolutely had to have a Barbie day with my mom lol), but I was still disappointed because it didn't feel like there was as much on the whole transition of girlhood to womanhood as I was hoping there would be. I still think Greta did a great job though.
Also, if you're interested, I really recommend reading Amanda Montei's "Parenting in Barbie Land" from Mad Woman (if you haven't already), which connects the Barbie movie to motherhood. It's super interesting with a beautifully heart-wrenching ending.
Oooh I’ll definitely check that out, thanks for the rec! I admittedly also watched it twice - found the second viewing a lot more palatable, maybe because I knew what I was expecting? Beautiful sets and costumes, entertaining acting, but not my favorite writing of Gerwig’s.
Agreed! That's exactly how I felt on the second watch. But yeah, I still wasn't all that crazy about the Gloria monologue the second time around. But, otherwise, I think knowing what to expect made it more palatable!
Apparently Greta had to fight with Mattel to get the scene where Barbie calls the old woman beautiful into the final cut. So I think she still did the best she could with the themes, given who she had to work with, even if it did come across as #girlboss intro to feminism at times. I think the film really shined when it was highlighting Barbie just getting in touch with humanity and of course, Greta’s bread and butter, motherhood and girlhood.
Greta is such a talented writer, many moments like that did come through to me as quite touching! I think if anything the general nature the feminism presented in the movie was likely useful in capturing a broader audience. There’s definitely levels to it all!
Loved learning about l'art pour l'art -- fascinating post!
I'm so glad, thank you for reading!!