From forged to teenagers, ‘Barbie’ movie’s view on patriarchy resonated By Reuters

By Lisa Richwine and Rollo Ross

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) – Actor Simu Liu, who performed one of many Kens within the Oscar-nominated “Barbie” film, skilled a revelation when he first learn the script and its commentary in regards to the hurt inflicted by patriarchy.

“All of us wish to assume that we’re totally different, that we’re progressive,” Liu mentioned in an interview with Reuters. “After which we learn a scene that calls us out so totally and totally, that I am like, ‘Oh yeah, I am a part of the issue.'”

The “Barbie” film, which can compete for greatest image and different honors at Sunday’s Oscars, generated a chart-topping $1.4 billion at world field places of work in 2023. Co-written by married couple Greta Gerwig and Noah Baumbach, it additionally modified some attitudes about women and men.

The movie strikes between Barbie Land, run by President Barbie and different feminine dolls, and the Actual World – a patriarchy dominated by males who present few alternatives to ladies.

Liu pointed to scenes wherein the Kens attempt to impress the Barbies by enjoying Matchbox Twenty music “Push” on guitar whereas the ladies stare into their eyes. “I am going to play guitar at you,” Ryan Gosling’s Ken says to Margot Robbie’s Barbie.

“My thoughts immediately flashed to 19-year-old me in faculty,” Liu mentioned of the scene. “Yeah, that is undoubtedly me.”

The actor mentioned he felt the film’s goal was to point out that patriarchy “is simply unhealthy for everybody.”

“It impacts males as a result of it places this bizarre shit in our minds about what we have now to be and who we have now to be,” he mentioned. “After which, clearly, makes it actually powerful for ladies.”

Dr. Ellen Rome, head of adolescent drugs at Cleveland Clinic Kids’s Hospital, sought reactions to the movie from about 100 tweens, teenagers and their mother and father who visited her clinic after the film got here out.

TEENS GET IT

    A lot of the youngsters “picked up on how normative society’s patriarchy is, and the way it can negatively affect each ladies and men,” Rome mentioned. “Children at 11, 12 and 13 received this.”

    Boys “noticed and will decide up on how inappropriate it was to deal with ladies as objects, or to make adverse feedback about them,” she mentioned.

    The boys additionally needed a extra empowered Ken, she mentioned.

    “That he was an adjunct wasn’t misplaced on the boys,” Rome mentioned. “They needed Ken to have the ability to have his personal agenda.”

    Rome mentioned she appreciated that the film tackled psychological well being immediately. The “stereotypical Barbie” performed by Robbie dealt with despair and ideas of loss of life and labored her means by means of it.

    “They did fantastically addressing the truth that psychological well being challenges can have an effect on anyone, and that you are able to do a hero’s journey to face that despair and determine how you can empower your self,” she mentioned.

   Rome did have some critiques. She mentioned the film confirmed little physique variety among the many Barbies or the Kens. There have been no Kens with weight problems, for instance.

    And, the “bizarre Barbie” performed by Kate McKinnon, “is valued however remoted,” Rome mentioned.

Barbie maker Mattel Inc (NASDAQ:) mentioned its client analysis confirmed that 87 p.c considered the Barbie model as empowering for ladies after the film’s launch, and 80% mentioned the model “showcased physique variety.”

One exterior survey discovered the movie altered some perceptions about women and men within the office.

Resume Builder, an internet site for job seekers, commissioned a ballot of 300 Individuals who had seen “Barbie.” Fifty-three p.c of all viewers mentioned the movie improved their opinion of girls within the office, and 63% of males mentioned the movie made them extra conscious of the partriarchy at work.

Actor Ariana Greenblatt, who performed a Barbie-skeptical teen within the movie, mentioned women have thanked her for placing a highlight on the problems they face.

“I feel individuals will take a look at issues otherwise ceaselessly,” she mentioned. “And that is the best factor on the planet. Hopefully we modify the journey of society.”