Review
Weapons: the perfect horror film? Almost
by Luca Fontana
«Barbie»: a clumsy social criticism or masterpiece? This is what our editors have to say
19.7.2023
Translation: Elicia Payne
«Barbie», the new film by Greta-Gerwig has everyone talking. Not just because of the controversial doll that spreads questionable beauty ideals, but also because of the film’s loud social criticism. Read on to find out whether the visit to the cinema is still worth it.
Let me start off by saying that my review contains no spoilers. Any information stated here is featured in trailers that have already been released.
And of course a mermaid.
It’s probably this pretentious inconsistency that has made Barbie a pop culture icon ever since. For some she’s the strong woman who brings feminism into the world – for others she represents an unachievable beauty ideal which causes complexes for entire generations. To want to sum up the complexity, unruly and unapologetic, in a single film is beyond reason. Yet the actress, author and director Greta Gerwig has tried exactly that.
Did it work? Here’s what our editorial team have to say.
Natalie Hemengül: a pink balm for the soul
As a film novice who has never seen the most important films of our time, I probably shouldn’t write the following, but I will anyway: Barbie has what it takes to become a classic. The fact that I would at least like the film was to be expected, as I loved playing with Mattel’s plastic creations when I was a little girl. And yet, in retrospect, I didn’t just «like» it, I loved every second!
Why? Because «Barbie» conjured up this bitter mixture of fond memories from my old stairwell – where my Barbie dolls met those of my neighbour – and the zeitgeisty question of whether I, as a woman, am still allowed to find Barbie so great. The film delivers the answer in big fat letters: YES!
Luca Fontana: is it just an anti-men film? Not at all!
It’s a rare occasion nowadays that a film takes me by surprise. «Barbie» is one of them. Not because the characters go through unexpectedly profound character development (they don’t). But because Greta Gerwig succeeds in making a film which – despite some damn loud social criticism of a male-dominated society – doesn’t offend me.
Maybe because «Barbie» doesn’t degenerate into a pure all-out attack on the male world. Self-criticism, which is not used sparingly, ensures this. I even interpret the beginning of the film as a mockery of «false» feminism, which isn’t about gender equality, but in fact about the devaluation of men.
At the start Barbie Land is exactly that. For in the utopia where «all the problems of feminism and equality» have been solved – says narrator Helen Mirren with a wink from offstage – it’s exclusively the Barbies who hold all the positions of power. The attention-hungry Kens, meanwhile, define themselves only by being noticed by Barbies. «I’m just Ken and I’m enough, and I’m great at doing stuff» is indeed Oscar-worthy songwriting:
Greta Gerwig’s film gets a lot right, especially with its delightfully disarming humour. «I thought patriarchalism was about men on horses,» Ryan Gosling’s Ken blathers, «but the horses are actually an extension of manhood.» Ken had just found out that in the real world, it’s men, not Barbies, who take the lead. He’s even asked what the time is at one point – the time! – which ignites a great fondness for patriarchalism in him.
Crazy, super-absurd and hilarious. The film is a definite must-watch.
Simon Balissat: Gerwig in pink instead of black and white, will that work?
Greta Gerwig is directing the «Barbie» movie. I couldn’t have been more sceptical. Gerwig is best known as an actress and screenwriter for independent productions. And now this acclaimed independent director is supposed to bring the Mattel puppet box to the big screen?! «That can’t be any good!», I thought...
.. and I was completely wrong.
Gerwig plays intelligently with all the clichés without making me feel beaten to death by the moral club. I raise my pink hat to the movie!
«Barbie» hits theatres on 20 July 2023. Runtime: 114 minutes. Age rating: 12.
Luca Fontana
Senior Editor
Luca.Fontana@digitecgalaxus.chI write about technology as if it were cinema, and about films as if they were real life. Between bits and blockbusters, I’m after stories that move people, not just generate clicks. And yes – sometimes I listen to film scores louder than I probably should.
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