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The new Barbie movie has taken the world by storm, with media coverage of the film spreading from the likes of X and TikTok to more unexpected places, like Fox News headlines. In the oddest double feature yet, “Barbie” even beat “Oppenheimer” in sales as hordes of excited fans in pink crammed into theaters.
Many applaud the unapologetic feminist message incorporated in the film, but some found it lacked depth through its cursory delivery. I happen to agree.
To be clear, I don’t take issue with the feminist message of the Barbie movie. I applaud its intent to shed light on issues of patriarchal structures, gender inequality and the double standards women face in society. As a feminist myself, I believe that it’s important for media to expose and create space for discussion of these important topics.
However, my problem with the Barbie movie is its execution. Despite its noble intentions, the movie’s message falls short for its lack of subtlety. While I admire the film’s desire to address these important issues in an approachable and humorous manner, it lacks the nuance and depth necessary to truly resonate with its audience. The film’s heavy-handed jab at patriarchal structures feels forced and unnatural as if the filmmakers are trying too hard to get their message across.
The movie’s lack of subtlety in addressing complex and nuanced issues is a double-edged sword. On one side, the film’s boldness in addressing difficult topics is certainly commendable, successfully bringing attention to important topics that may otherwise go unnoticed. This direct approach to such multifaceted issues certainly resonates with many and has sparked heated discourse both on and offline. Although euphemisms and pleasantries make harder things easier to talk about, sometimes a good dose of blunt dialogue is necessary for issues to progress past a simple “let’s hope it gets better.” “Barbie” certainly makes that point very clear.
However, the other edge of the sword cuts deeper. Scenes where Kens are in pimp jackets as Barbies are dressed in maid gowns, exaggerate gender stereotypes that can negatively impact both men and women. Such topics are usually severely sugarcoated in conversations that they are more palatable than they should be. So when a movie wrapped in hot pink cellophane and glitter communicates just how detrimental these societal faults are for everyone without parsing a single word . . .
Yeah, it can be a bitter pill to swallow.
However, some viewers, myself included, feel that Barbie’s lack of subtlety and nuance in its social commentary works against its message. As a result, the film loses the valuable symbolism and veils necessary to engage moviegoers on a deeper level.
And the lack of subtlety isn’t just limited to the film’s feminist message. The movie’s overall plot and dialogue also feel overly simplistic and contrived, lacking the necessary complexity to truly engage its audience. I felt like I was being spoon-fed every idea and implication, leaving little to no room for my interpretations. As a result, the film feels more like a lecture than a piece of entertainment, and I suspect that many viewers may find themselves rolling their eyes instead of feeling inspired by its message.
I’m not alone in my criticism of the movie’s point-blank delivery. Many critics have raised similar concerns, arguing that the film’s simplicity undermines its message and makes it a less effective tool for driving positive change. Critics also bashed “Barbie” for rehashing current issues without presenting any plausible solutions. That may be the only part of the film left up to the mist of subtlety. While forcibly removing the government from oppressive Kens may work in Barbieland, the real world doesn’t work like that. By simply presenting real-world problems without offering any plausible real-world solutions, the film may be seen as overly simplistic and possibly even misleading. This may detract from its impact and its ability to inspire meaningful action.
Ultimately, while I appreciate the movie’s feminist message and its efforts to raise awareness about important social issues, the absence of complexity makes it a less-than-ideal tool for truly driving positive change. A more thought-provoking approach is necessary to engage audiences and inspire action toward creating a more fair and just society for all. As fervor around the movie diminishes, it remains to be seen whether its approach will ultimately be successful in provoking long-lasting meaningful change or, fizzle out.
