SHE’S EVERYTHING. HE’S JUST KEN.
Barbieland is a happy society of successful Barbies, until the day when one of them is suddenly struck by thoughts about death and learns that she needs to connect with the real world.
Mattel’s creation leaps onto the silver screen in similar fashion to The Lego Movie (2014) – respectful of the product, but also irreverent, playful and, in this case, with a smart and strong feminist message about how we all lose in a patriarchy.
Borderline too preachy, but propelled by good jokes, a devoted cast (including the two leads and a hilarious Will Ferrell as Mattel’s CEO), eye-popping sets and costumes, and an engaging song score. Brilliant closing scene.
2023-U.S. 114 min. Color. Directed by Greta Gerwig. Screenplay: Greta Gerwig, Noah Baumbach. Cinematography: Rodrigo Prieto. Songs: ”Pink” (performed by Lizzo), ”What Was I Made For?” (performed by Billie Eilish), ”I’m Just Ken” (Mark Ronson, Andrew Wyatt). Production Design: Sarah Greenwood. Costume Design: Jacqueline Durran. Cast: Margot Robbie (Barbie), Ryan Gosling (Ken), America Ferrera (Gloria), Michael Cera, Ariana Greenblatt, Rhea Perlman, Will Ferrell, Kate McKinnon, Simu Liu, Issa Rae, John Cena, Rob Brydon, Dua Lipa, Emerald Fennell. Narrated by Helen Mirren.
Trivia: Co-executive produced by Gerwig and Baumbach; co-produced by Robbie. At various points, Amy Schumer and Anne Hathaway were considered for the part of Barbie; Patty Jenkins for directing duties.
Oscar: Best Original Song (”What Was I Made For?”). Golden Globes: Best Cinematic and Box Office Achievement, Original Song (”What Was I Made For?”).
Last word: “When I was eight years old, I loved the biggest, brightest, loudest, sparkliest thing that I could find. And I need to honor that even though I want the movie to be beautiful and delicious. I don’t want it to be overwhelmed with adult good taste, because that just feels disingenuous to what the task is. So we were picking these bright, saturated colors. The result was that the set was like a dopamine generator. People would walk in and smile.” (Gerwig, Rolling Stone)