Like many little girls growing up, playing with Barbie dolls was a rite of passage. There were other dolls, sure. Babies that needed to be fed, changed, monitored and mothered. But Barbies were different. They were about self-exploration, growing up and making your own choices. Becoming independent by projecting yourself onto a tanned, long stemmed bleach blonde when you are none of those things might seem a stretch. And it is. We all hero worship. But not only that, she had a male companion, and Ken was an accessory. Like her millions of outfits and shoes, he existed at her whim, to complete her picture. Bringing these concepts to the big screen in 2023 vs. 1959, the year Barbie debuted as an American icon, is a daring notion. However, the current Hollywood Barbie movie is a huge success both financially and critically. The reasons why are surprising. Let’s take a look.
The first message this movie delivers is the world is truly your oyster. You create your own reality and the epic, almost Dali-esque beauty of director Greta Gerwig’s movie world is palpable. Barbie Land on the big screen is big, bold and wildly creative. The message is take your place in it. Your inner Barbie demands it. Follow Your bliss! This is a powerful message in a world that often teaches grinding self-sacrifice. One that tells us to live our dreams … as long as they pay rent, buy houses and all the accoutrements within the status quo’s misery mentality. The wonder and magic of being alive and experiencing all that comes with it - this is the music of Barbie’s world.
Barbie’s friendships with her fellow females is paramount. And within it is embedded the value of non-judgmental community. There is no mean-spirited jealousy here. Women are united, not divided. The merry battle of the sexes is lightened by the camaraderie Barbie and her array of women confidants share. They are in awe and admiration of each other. “Do I intimidate you?” or “Are you intimidated?” is a courageous question that supports self-confidence. The scene where Barbie exhibits the arch of her foot, perpetually flexed for high heel dexterity, is done in a way that encourages understanding, not undermining. This is a fair and balanced message for females of any age.
When it comes to the relationship between the sexes, Ken is there to complement her but never to dominate her. Women have historically been conditioned to be subservient to men, once upon a time to even be bound to men as chattel. Woefully, this is still so in some parts of the world. Certain houses in our own neighborhood? Our own house? Laws may change, but attitudes take so much longer to catch up. A happy Barbie is not led by a bossy or scary Ken, but one that merely wishes to pick up her hanky, return it and be on his way. May we all align with our inner, and outer, Barbies.
Standard reporter JL Jacobs can be reached at (931) 473-2191
