Barbie, the doll, is promoted as both a figure of aspiration and a companion; an attractive, plastic embodiment donned in an ornate gown or a physician’s attire or even Jane Goodall’s utilitarian safari gear, expected to evoke an emotional bond. Yet as a child, your future self is not exactly a friend. It’s too elusive and somewhat frightening. You may harbour a range of emotions towards your Barbie doll, but the reality is, she is always ensnared in her present, while you are trying to envision your future. Barbie’s ever-changing signals are not the issue; they are the essence. She is always slightly ahead of you, eliciting love, resentment, or often a complicated amalgamation of both from her observers.
Barbie’s cinematic counterpart, with Margot Robbie not only in the starring role but also as a producer, seeks to explore the intricacies of Barbie the doll under the directorial guidance of Greta Gerwig. All while maintaining a playful, clever tone, accentuated by occasional bursts of hot pink. The movie is rife with insider humour, allusions to Gene Kelly-style dance routines, and countless witty one-liners or elaborate monologues dissecting contemporary womanhood. Gerwig has extensively assured the audience through various press releases that despite the film revolving around a plastic toy, it is laden with meaningful ideas, emotions and genuine thought. The internet is abuzz with chatter about the film’s ‘subversive’ nature, its delicate balance between mockery and adoration for Barbie, and its satirical depiction of Mattel executives. The narrative projects Gerwig as a mastermind, cleverly utilizing Mattel’s funding to create thought-provoking entertainment.
Indeed, the movie delivers on its promises: plentiful Barbie banter, ridicule of the executives, but none of this make it revolutionary. It’s a film that’s quite self-satisfied, having indulged in its own perfect plastic world. The commendable aspects of Barbie – Robbie’s lively, endearing performance, Ryan Gosling’s adventurous portrayal of ever-present boyfriend Ken, and the vibrant, ingenious set design – are overshadowed by the film’s overwhelming ambition to be everything at once. Its playfulness comes with a touch of pretentiousness. Barbie doesn’t miss an opportunity to remind us of its crafty cleverness, every tiring minute.
