barbie has captured children's imaginations for decades. as an oddly proportioned and articulated doll, she has managed to cross the generations and has enchanted children all over the world. despite her unrealistic appearance, her blonde hair and tall, slender legs have created not just a kind of beauty model but a fascination.
barbie's world expanded beyond the traditional icon of blonde hair, blue eyes, and tanned skin due to social pressure and, of course, business. the barbie grew to include other barbies that were a little closer to human in shape and color, but "the barbie" has never really let go of the original image. no stranger to controversies that have lasted as long as her own existence, she has been used as a tool of toxic gender norms and feminine ideals lost in time.
but controversies aside, she is unquestionably the most famous of all dolls and it keeps the generations connected, in the images of childhood memories. (there is no grandmother, grandfather, mother, father, uncle or aunt who doesn't know who barbie is).
and there is no denying that the movie has attracted a lot of attention. of course, being directed by greta gerwig (indie cinema sweatheart) and with a cast that includes margot robbie and ryan goslin (in addition to will ferrel, america ferrera, emma mackay, michael cera, dua lippa, etc.) are enough reasons for the buzz.
"I’m not adventure barbie, I’m sterotypical barbie!" - barbie
so of course CINCO team wanted to go. we've played with barbies, we have to admit! and although we're absolutely sensitive to all the negative things that barbie can represent, the truth is that none of this plasticity, design and buble gum pink are alien to us and exert an irresistible fascination.
"it is the best day ever. so was yesterday, and so is tomorrow, and every day from now until forever. - barbie"
the lights in the movie theater go down, the popcorn is ready and we enter the world of barbie.
we step into barbieland, a kind of kaleidoscopic wonderland. another perfect day, where doll-like people live by the rules of this world and in bubblegum-colored houses with an aesthetic reminiscent of 60s california. everything seems to fit into the mattel universe until barbie starts having strange thoughts. and her feet, famously designed for dizzying heels, become flat. she is then advised to try on a pair of Birkenstocks and take a trip into the real world.
we jump between the real world and the barbie world as barbie (and ken) stop being just dolls and experience very real sensations and feelings.
"every night is girls night." - barbie
the movie is fun, makes us laugh and smile many times (with some touches of nostalgia) with the gender stereotypes and the world of business and brand profits. margot robbie is perfect for the role and without wanting to give away too many spoilers, I don't think it will be a wasted trip to the movies!
although it is not a movie produced by mattel, it is interesting to see how, by allowing its management to be mocked (and the choice of will ferrel as ceo of mattel brings that - its a man's world!), it manages to create some redemption of the stereotype. and through a subtle game manages to make millions.
barbie reminds us that we don't live in barbie land, and that women's journey is still long and full of contradictions. but for a moment, in greta's world, everything makes sense and our imagination is transported back to very happy memories.
cláudia cavaleiro the editor in chief for CINCO editorial. born in '82 in coimbra, she is graduated in philosophy from the university of coimbra. passionate about books and podcasts in a geek kind of way, she always find something interesting to research. loves to bring awareness to social problems and loves working at CINCO!
