Insights from the Barbie Movie

In the past few weeks, it's been nearly impossible to escape the buzz surrounding the Barbie movie! From social media chatter to water cooler conversations, it seems like everyone's got an opinion.

So, did you manage to catch it?

I couldn't resist chiming in after watching it myself. Here are my five key takeaways that added a fresh twist to my perspective:

1. It's not at all what I expected

And there's a good reason for it. The trailer didn't give much of a preview of what the movie has to offer. I thought it was a cute, pink movie about dolls, but instead, it's a smart, funny, multi-layered masterpiece that weaves together nostalgia and self-discovery in the most unexpected ways. As you journey through its scenes, you'll find yourself laughing out loud and nodding in agreement. Greta Gerwig did a marvelous job flipping the script and highlighting the experiences of women in the modern world and those cultural barriers I mentioned in my last newsletter.

2. Women are a potent market force not to be ignored

The movie has reached $1 billion in sales, making Greta Gerwig the first solo female director with a billion-dollar movie. Achieving this milestone further underscores the undeniable power of the female audience. The movie’s record success showcases how narratives that resonate with women can spark extraordinary success. Did you know that plots centring on women and girls currently make up only 18% of all billion-dollar movies, and nearly half of them are animated films made for children! Perhaps Barbie’s success will pave the way for change in this regard.

3. There is power in being ordinary

In Barbieland, every Barbie is depicted as having a special job – from doctor, president, Supreme Court justice, and more, the Barbies live the dream life. But what this movie shows us is that the end goal of life doesn’t have to be the picture-perfect fantasy. Even Barbie herself realises that her initial mission to become perfect again was misguided. The film ingeniously teaches us that the relentless pursuit of perfection isn't the only path and in a world pushing us to always be extraordinary, this message hits home for everyone who's ever felt like they're not measuring up.

4. We are Kenough

At the start of the movie, Ken’s purpose is established as being of service to Barbie. Without Barbie, Ken feels insignificant. However, when Barbie and Ken travel to the real world, his exposure to gender imbalance gives him his first taste of being respected as a man. This leads him to the wrong conclusion that men deserve to dominate over women. He introduces misogyny and patriarchy to Barbieland, encouraging the Kens to assert their dominance. But they soon realise that patriarchy is not the solution to their problems and that Kens are not meaningless without their Barbies. They are enough just as they are, and so are we!

5. America Ferrera's powerful monologue could be more empowering

Since the film's release, women have been sharing the transcript on social media, encouraging each other to save it for when they need a confidence boost.

Here it is:

"It is literally impossible to be a woman. 

You are so beautiful, and so smart, and it kills me that you don't think you're good enough. Like, we have to always be extraordinary, but somehow we're always doing it wrong. 

You have to be thin, but not too thin. And you can never say you want to be thin. You have to say you want to be healthy, but also you have to be thin. 

You have to have money, but you can't ask for money because that's crass. You have to be a boss, but you can't be mean. You have to lead, but you can't squash other people's ideas. You're supposed to love being a mother, but don't talk about your kids all the damn time. 

You have to be a career woman but also always be looking out for other people. You have to answer for men's bad behavior, which is insane, but if you point that out, you're accused of complaining. 

You're supposed to stay pretty for men, but not so pretty that you tempt them too much or that you threaten other women because you're supposed to be a part of the sisterhood. 

But always stand out and always be grateful. But never forget that the system is rigged. So find a way to acknowledge that but also always be grateful. 

You have to never get old, never be rude, never show off, never be selfish, never fall down, never fail, never show fear, never get out of line. It's too hard! 

It's too contradictory and nobody gives you a medal or says thank you! And it turns out in fact that not only are you doing everything wrong, but also everything is your fault. 

I'm just so tired of watching myself and every single other woman tie herself into knots so that people will like us. And if all of that is also true for a doll just representing women, then I don't even know".

However, I find room for this powerful speech to be even more empowering, shifting from venting to unstoppable power mode. So I asked ChatGTP to turn this speech to an even more empowering version, and this is what it came up with:

Being a woman is an extraordinary journey, often defying expectations and norms. Our beauty and intelligence radiate within us, and it's time we recognise our worth. We're not merely expected to be extraordinary; we already are. Yet, we've been confined by a web of contradictory demands, leaving us feeling inadequate.

The world tells us to be thin, but we're more than appearances. We're strong and healthy, and we embrace our bodies as they are. 

We're leaders, compassionate and determined, whether in the boardroom or at home. The roles we play are vast, and we refuse to be confined by stereotypes.

We've been burdened with answering for others' behavior, a notion that defies logic. Our strength doesn't threaten; it empowers. We stand united as a sisterhood, supporting and uplifting each other. And while gratitude is a virtue, we won't be blinded to a rigged system.

We're unafraid to age, to fall, to show our imperfections. We're rewriting the rules, erasing the idea that we're doing anything wrong. We're more than pleasing others; we're embracing our authentic selves.

Tying ourselves into knots for acceptance is a chapter that's ending. We won't be defined by others' perceptions. We're not victims; we're pioneers of change. Just as a doll can't define us, nor can society. Our narrative is one of strength, resilience, and unapologetic authenticity.

The film brilliantly exposes the challenges women confront daily, spotlighting those cultural barriers that can feel like real roadblocks. Showcasing the hurdles is one thing, but overcoming them is the key.