Barbie
“Do you guys ever think about dying?” - Barbie
When Barbie turned the UK pink, I couldn’t help but think, “a Barbie film probably shouldn’t even exist.” *Vinyl scratch* That weirdly rhymed. Even when on the pink carpet, we were a little unsure, yet excited to be in a plastic fantastic world for 2 nights with Warner Bros.
The film is about taking a doll and giving it life, while examining both the positives and negatives of its existence, through the lens of a laugh-out-loud yet often moving comedy.
Considering that the synopsis for this film is simply that “Barbie suffers a crisis that leads her to question her world and her existence,” there’s a ton going on here. Barbie is action, comedy, fantasy, and satire all rolled into one, with immersive production design, its tongue and cheek, but its heart always beating loudly and proudly. I know I’m not necessarily the audience for this film, but knowing that there are young girls out there that will see this and absolutely go gaga over it, that heartens me to no end. Plus, as mentioned, it’s just spectacular entertainment.
Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling are quite phenomenal, they’re once again, each as good as they’ve ever been. Gosling is a comedic goldmine and deserves legitimate Best Supporting Actor consideration, why not?. The amount that he throws himself into this role is staggering and staggeringly delightful. The commitment itself is hilarious, let alone his comic timing. Robbie is funny and adorable but has dramatic high points. The other Barbies and Kens have their moments, for sure, but Gosling and Robbie are the highlights. America Ferrera grounds things well, while Will Ferrell is amusing in a very silly role. In addition to everyone mentioned above, the cast also includes John Cena, Scott Evans, and Ncuti Gatwa as other Kens, alongside Ritu Arya, Nicola Coughlan, Ana Cruz Kayne, Dua Lipa, and Sharon Rooney as fellow Barbies. The supporting players are rounded out by Michael Cera, Emerald Fennell, Annie Mumolo, and Rhea Perlman, among others. Helen Mirren narrates impeccably.
Lighting up the London Eye
Co-writer/director Greta Gerwig deserves a ton of kudos for not just thinking of this take on Barbie, but for executing it as well. Along with her co-writer/partner Noah Baumbach, they imbue this film with societal commentary, some sly digs, and an epic takedown of the patriarchy. This isn’t a political film, the points it makes are quite lucid. At the same time, Gerwig is determined to entertain, not just with amazing production design and ace performances, but with dance numbers, action scenes, and constant surprises. There’s no way to expect what she and Baumbach had up their sleeves.
Oscar-wise, I think this deserves legit consideration for several categories. Best Picture, Best Director (for Gerwig), Best Actress (for Robbie), Best Supporting Actor (for Gosling), Best Adapted Screenplay (for Gerwig and Baumbach), Best Production Design, Best Costume Design, Best Makeup & Hairstyling, and Best Original Song (potentially times two) should all be on the table. My guess is that Picture, Supporting Actor, Adapted Screenplay, Production Design, and Original Song nominations are potentially gettable, with Actress next in line. Fingers crossed the Academy don’t snub this one based on what they assume it is, There’s a Barbie for everyone, of course, and now there’s a Barbie film for everyone to enjoy!
