Welcome to Barbieworld, where pink is the new normal, and clever satire lurks behind every candy-coated house! Greta Gerwig’s Barbie movie takes us on a wild journey filled with indulgence, self-awareness, and just the right amount of humor, but a few ‘Okay, what’s new?’ moments. The film stars the bubbly Margot Robbie as the iconic Barbie and the oh-so-dashing Ryan Gosling (the rizzler) as Ken, and boy, do they make quite a pair! So buckle up for a rollercoaster ride of feminism, patriarchy, and existential crises – all in a world where pink reigns supreme!
Plot
Sab perfect ho raha hota hai Barbieworld mein. Bright mornings, fresh pancakes, and jolly girls’ night everyday. But things get crazy when Stereotypical Barbie starts malfunctioning due to mysterious reaons. Determined to fix the issue, Barbie and Ken embark on an adventure to the real world. But unhe kya pata ki the real world isn’t as strawberry as Barbieworld. Barbie gets a crash course in what it’s like to be a woman here, facing everything from eve-teasing to bodyshaming. Meanwhile, Ken gets introduced to patriarchy – cue the macho-man walk! Loveddd how the movie smartly disguises commentary on materialism, beauty, and gender roles. Best part is, while it makes you laugh, you also feel guilty as you roll along with the iconic duo.
Performances
Margot Robbie is a delight as Barbie, acing that wide grin like a pro. Pura time to usi pe simp karne mein nikal gaya. But don’t be fooled by her mannequin-like appearance; she’s the star of the show, goes through an existential crisis and also causes a revolution! Ryan Gosling‘s Ken is legit a copy-book version of self-aware masculinity, who flexes muscles while talking, thinks men should rule the world and aur bhi crap. But the rizzler nails his role to perfection, and his dance moves are just too smooth. Simu Liu is heavily under-utilized though. Wanted so much more of him.
Direction and Writing
Okay, this is where the film starts letting you down. Greta Gerwig’s direction transports us away to a vibrant world of pink where every frame is a delightful visual treat. With her husband Noah Baumbach, Greta crafts a tale that tries to cleverly blend humor and social commentary. The meta-humour in the form of digs at toxic masculinity are just too good, ngl. But more often than not, the satire feels too apparent, diminishing the impact of the film’s message. For a movie dealing with feminism, the makers end up making the point ki men fight because of women. Like how is that progress bro? You know how bachpan mein we over-accessorized Barbies thinking kya mast lagega, but it was actually too much? That’s how the satire feels in the movie.
Screenplay and Cinematography
The good thing about this movie is that it doesn’t stretch itself in its 2 hour run-time. The screenplay keeps us hooked, as Barbie grapples with her existential crisis while navigating the real world’s red flags. The cinematography takes us from Barbieworld to the real world seamlessly, making you wonder if you’ve ever looked at life through a pink-tinted lens! A bigggg thank you to the designers for nailing the sparkly pink world that makes you feel like you’ve stepped into a candy-coated dream! Gerwig takes hilarious jabs at Mattel and Warner Bros, but some uncomfortable questions about Barbie’s impact on real women remain underexplored. While the movie takes up important topics, it just ends up scratching their surfaces.
Barbie is a whimsical and fun-filled ride that dares to question societal norms with a pink-tastic twist. While it occasionally trips over its own cleverness, the movie remains an entertaining and candid take on feminism, identity, and the power of questioning. Margot Robbie’s Barbie is a woman of substance beneath her perfect exterior, proving that she’s so much more than just a pretty doll. Ryan Gosling’s Ken, on the other hand, is a delightful and charming revelation, challenging stereotypes with his machismo. Barbie may have had a few wardrobe malfunctions, but in the end, she proves she can be everything and so much more!
