One of the biggest cultural phenomena of 2023 was undoubtedly Greta Gerwig’s blockbuster hit, Barbie. Making up one half of Barbenheimer (Barbie and Oppenheimer), Barbie uses the iconic doll as a way to explore women, feminism, and the human condition as a whole. Starring Margot Robbie as the main Barbie, Ryan Gosling as the main Ken and a plethora of stars in support including American Ferrera and Will Ferrell, Barbie is a film for the ages.
Directed by Greta Gerwig and co-written by Gerwig and Noah Baumbach, Barbie is full of satire and isn’t afraid to poke fun at Barbie’s manufacturer, Mattel. Gerwig can simply do no wrong from the Powell and Pressburger-inspired set design to the bonkers musical number in the film’s climactic final act. Barbie is a film that feels timely in its messaging and themes and timeless thanks to its various nods and tributes to films past.
Margot Robbie is perfect casting as Barbie. Time and time again, she has subverted expectations, providing brilliantly layered performances. From her turn as Tonya Harding in I, Tonya to her starry-eyed performance as Sharon Tate in Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, Robbie isn’t afraid to try something different and new. The scene in which she encounters Ruth Handler (Rhea Perlman) near the end of the film sees Barbie spanning a plethora of emotions as she sees what it means to be human.
Ryan Gosling provides a hilarious and memorable performances that is one for the ages. Where Barbie is quickly objectified by society in the real world, Ken realises that a patriarchal society means he can take control of Barbieland with the other Kens. Gosling is on another level in this film. It’s clear he is having fun in the role and he isn’t afraid to truly go for it. The rivalry between Gosling’s Ken and Simu Liu’s Rival Ken is hysterical to watch as they vie for Margot’s Barbie’s attention.
Providing the film’s most iconic and pivotal moment is America Ferrera as Mattel employee, Gloria. Serving as Barbie’s way in to understanding how the real world works, Ferrera’s performance is grounded and reminiscent of what it’s like to be a 21st century woman. The monologue scene is delivered perfectly, encapsulating the frustrations of what society expects from women. Ferrera and Robbie play off each other excellently, finding the common ground between them.
The cinematography by Rodrigo Prieto is plastic and fantastic, making use of the Barbie aesthetic. The bright pinks and pastels bounce off the screen deliciously, contrasting greatly with the imperfections of the real world. Prieto has had an excellent year working on Barbie and Killers of the Flower Moon. His work on Barbie has helped make it one of the most visually recognisable films of the year.
The music by Mark Ronson and Andrew Wyatt plays on the fun, plastic world of Barbieland. It immediately immerses you and sucks you into the uplifting atmosphere. The soundtrack is filled with ecletic dance tracks from the likes of Dua Lipa and Charli XCX. However, the standout tracks are “I’m Just Ken” sang by Ryan Gosling and the emotional ballad “What Was I Made For?” by Billie Eilish. The latter is most likely to give Eilish and cowriter FINNEAS their second Oscars and it’s well-deserved.
Barbie is a delight from the opening tribute to Stanley Kubrick’s 2001: A Space Odyssey to the concluding one-liner. It’s a film that reveals more each watch. The dazzling visuals, top-notch acting, and impeccable script make Barbie one for the ages.
What did you think of Barbie? Let me know in the comments below!