BARBIE

If I could describe this movie in a few words, it would be:
Mischievous. Hilarious. Insightful. Whimsical.
Yes, other words like: nostalgic, empowering, quirky and subversive would also do it justice I believe.

I was totally part of Barbenheimer – I did watch both movies in one day and loved both!
I’m not surprised that Barbie was the most anticipated movie of 2023, and is pretty much smashing box offices all over the world.

As many reviewers have already commented, it’s a film that’s highly self-aware and feminist.

I’m so glad that cinemas are being flocked to again post- global lockdowns, as I’m really convicted in the power and passion of the cinematic experience, and the universality of it.

I love what Greta Gerwig, Noah Baumbach, Margot Robbie, Ryan Gosling, and pretty much everyone involved in this movie has achieved with it. I recently watched the BBC interview with Greta and Margot (one of the very few interviews I chose to watch about the movie), and was so happy to hear and see just how authentic Margot as the producer and lead actor wanted the movie to be.

As many viewers and critics are saying, Ryan Gosling as Beach Ken is the standout of the movie…and I have to agree. His musical solos are extremely amusing, and I do believe that he put his heart and soul into it all, while simultaneously not taking himself seriously at all. He just had fun, as much as everyone else did too. I even loved the narration of Helen Mirren (but who wouldn’t?!)

In this movie, we discover the youthful intelligence and ferocity of Sasha’s character, played by Ariana Greenblatt. I also really liked seeing American Ferrera’s character Gloria. It was honestly great to see her again in a film. The portrayal of Ruth Handler, co-founder of Barbie, was awesome and heartwarming to see.

My favourite scenes have to be some of the musical numbers, Gloria’s rant about being a woman, and Barbie’s interaction with an ageing woman.
The latter was honestly very beautiful.

I found the themes of seeking approval and acceptance from another, self-sufficiency, and subjugation to be essential in the story, and I’m so glad to see it done in such a clever way.
The existence of Time Mum and Anxiety Mum were also little gems of hilarious profundity and pretty genius 😉

*In her character arc, Barbie pretty much does everything I work on with my clients in my private practice and professional work:
Taking courageous risks, doing intensive inner work, releasing control, communicating with radical honesty & of course, choosing to live authentically. I love this fact. *

The matriarchy of Barbieland was a joy to watch, as much as the upturning of the status quo in one world, and profound questioning around mortality. I LOVE how there’s Weird Barbie, President Barbie, Physicist Barbie, Dr. Barbie, Lawyer Barbie, Journalist Barbie, Diplomat Barbie, and even Mermaid Barbie! Even going beyond these titles and professions, the camaraderie and empowering support of each Barbie towards each other are what truly make Barbieland.

I enjoyed societal and philosophical concepts being touched on like: Existentialism, Consumerism, Capitalism, Humanism and Anarchy. We delve into the human condition quite deeply – who would’ve thought we would do this in a film about Stereotypical Barbie??

All in all, the cinematography, set design, costumes, music, characterisation, scenes and themes came together so well, and it was a truly nostalgic, cinematic trip into the mythology and iconic nature of Barbie....and being Human.

Now is really the time to return to the movies!