Greta Gerwig’s Barbie movie is a 'feminist bimbo' classic – and no, that's not an oxymoron
For some, Barbie is the ultimate “girlboss” – she’s glamourous, successful and owns her own DreamHouse.
- For some, Barbie is the ultimate “girlboss” – she’s glamourous, successful and owns her own DreamHouse.
- For others, Barbie represents an outdated female stereotype – a “blonde bimbo girl in a fantasy world”, according to Aqua’s 1997 hit song Barbie Girl.
- Just ask the man with the megaphone stood outside the press screening of the new Barbie film that I attended in Leicester Square.
- Vehemently protesting the film, he insisted that Barbie is a bad role model and a danger to young women.
Barbie in the real world
- In the real world, Barbie is shocked to find that things are a little different than in Barbieland.
- While Barbie says she feels “ill at ease” in these situations, Ken (Ryan Gosling) feels “admired”.
- Like real women, Barbie is faced with objectification and criticism.
Ken’s rights
- It is not long before Ken’s endearing innocence is tainted by a concept that is novel where he comes from: patriarchy.
- Ken becomes intoxicated by male dominance and the film takes every opportunity to lampoon it.
- In other words, the many faces of radical misogyny in modern society, from men’s rights activists to incels.
- Much like the men who are indoctrinated into these radical groups, the Kens are led to believe that their rights are being eclipsed by women’s and find themselves conforming to toxic male stereotypes to regain a sense of control.
- Barbie makes a point that Leicester Square-megaphone-man really needs to hear: it’s not a Barbie doll that threatens women’s rights, opportunities and safety – it’s the patriarchy.