Greta Gerwig’s “Barbie” Is More Than Just A Movie
Life in plastic with Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling? It’s fantastic.
The cast photos for the upcoming “Barbie” film, featuring Ryan Gosling as Ken and Margot Robbie as Barbie, have created quite a stir. Directed by Greta Gerwig and Noah Baumbach, this film already holds the potential to become a cult classic, even a year before its release. But what makes it so instantly iconic?
Firstly, let’s talk about Greta Gerwig. This multi-talented filmmaker gained immense buzz following the release of her brilliant and Oscar-nominated film, “Lady Bird,” starring Saoirse Ronan as a teenager navigating the challenges of growing up in Sacramento, California. Gerwig’s adaptation of “Little Women” was another remarkable achievement, maintaining respect for the source material while infusing it with her own creative brilliance. She deftly weaves together a merry chaos of personalities and performances, creating a multilayered playground where child and adult stories intertwine. By subtly highlighting themes of female empowerment and the economics of creativity, Gerwig crafts a film that remains true to its roots while being refreshingly relevant.
Speaking of Gerwig, her directorial debut “Lady Bird” received five Oscar nominations in 2018. With her involvement in the “Barbie” project, we can expect an intriguing tale about the lives of these iconic Mattel dolls. Initially brought on board as a co-writer, it was recently revealed that Gerwig would also direct the film, marking her third directorial effort.
Now let’s move on to the cast. Gerwig, along with her partner Noah Baumbach, reportedly approached Margot Robbie during the writing process, recognizing her talent and suitability for the role. Similarly, Ryan Gosling, Gerwig’s top choice for the character of Ken, initially had scheduling conflicts but eventually joined the project once the production of “Barbie” was postponed. With the dream cast assembled, we can all rejoice in the anticipation of this live-action “Barbie” world.
Producer Margot Robbie, who will play the titular Barbie, and Ryan Gosling, portraying Barbie’s iconic love interest Ken, are reason enough to celebrate the casting gods. Given Robbie’s previous outstanding performances, such as in “The Wolf of Wall Street,” where her wardrobe already hinted at the Barbie universe, we can be assured that she will rock the rumored all-pink ensembles while Barbie navigates the transition from her doll fantasy world to the overwhelming realities of life.
In an interview with British Vogue, Margot expressed the complexity of the character Barbie, associated with nostalgic memories and allowing for various interpretations. She acknowledged that when people hear “Barbie,” they often have preconceived notions about the movie’s visual style. However, with Greta Gerwig writing the screenplay and directing, many are intrigued by the possibility of a different and unique approach.
But it’s not just Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling who contribute to the film’s star-studded cast. The ensemble promises a summer hit, featuring a stellar lineup of talent ranging from America Ferrera, Simu Liu, Kate McKinnon, Emma Mackey, Issa Rae, to Michael Cera. These announcements alone heighten the excitement surrounding the movie.
Last but not least, Barbie herself:
Finally, let’s not forget the history and significance of Barbie herself. Introduced to the world on March 9, 1959, at a New York toy fair, Barbie faced skepticism from toy buyers due to her contrast with the dolls of that era. However, within the first year, 350,000 dolls were sold, establishing Barbie’s popularity. Ken joined her side two years later, and the franchise expanded to include various cars, professions, and dream houses.
Despite facing criticism in recent years for promoting unrealistic beauty standards, Barbie has also been celebrated for encouraging girls to aspire to any profession they desire.
Between 2012 and 2014, sales plummeted 20 percent. Women’s rights activists and nutrition experts spent decades warning against the plastic blonde and her dubious role model function for children. A 2017 study by researchers at the School of Psychology in Adelaide, Australia, concluded that young Barbie fans were growing up with a distorted beauty ideal.
While opponents argue that Barbie propagates unrealistic body measurements and an image of women fixated on appearance, supporters say that Barbie encourages girls to set no limits on their professional ideas; after all, Barbie has been just about everything in her 60-year career, from architect to astronaut to computer programmer to chancellor (only in Germany) to paleontologist to pilot to rapper.
So wether you are a fan of the little blonde doll or not: You can’t deny how iconic she is for a 60 year old Women.
We definitely can’t wait to see if Greta Gerwig’s life in plastic on the big screen is actually fantastic.
