The 2023 film, Barbie has caused tears and smiles worldwide. The movie has so many girls and women feeling empowered.
The movie starring Margot Robbie as Barbie and Ryan Gosling as Ken, grossed 1.3 billion dollars, earning 155 million dollars on opening night. Even before the release date of July 21, millions of people were raving and getting so excited about Barbie. Barbie is a very iconic part of women’s history, with Barbra Roberts being a toy through so many generations. Barbie has been a woman of so many careers and interests, encouraging young girls to be anything. The movie strongly touches on the life of a woman and what it’s like dealing with daily struggles.
Many people had various emotions during the film, including a strong sense of empowerment. When asked about her emotional aspect, Kaitlyn Rytter, a Junior at Oakdale High School (OHS) responded, “I feel like the mother and daughter aspect really hit me. When the Mom went on her monologue about what it’s like being a woman and how sometimes women can’t be right, it really hits what it’s really like being a woman.” Other women have experienced similar emotions, as seen through online reviews.
Jeanna Allen, an IA at OHS, explained she felt, “Joy and nostalgia, there were so many parts that made me laugh. For example, Barbie was going up to the workers and they made some jokes. As well as seeing the Barbies that are discontinued, I still own some of them.”
‘Barbie ‘has 90% of good reviews and thousands of comments. Some comments saying that the movie was “Short and sweet” or “Loving the truth of mental health” With thousands of women and men having good feedback. Others have different opinions saying that the movie was “Too feminist” or “Dumb.”
Online there are thousands of videos, comments, conversations about how people have been feeling over the past several weeks. For Rytter, she fully agreed with the message, replying with, “I feel like I didn’t exactly relate to any characters but I really related to the message of the whole movie.”
Women are able to do anything; work together and be able to have community and be themselves even through hard times of the world. Barbie loses herself through the movie but is able to find herself through the person who created her. On the topic, Rytter explained her feelings on the message of the movie,” I think it’s a beautiful message, I think it should be taught to young women as well as to young men.” Not only Rytter has an opinion on the message but as well as Allen. She explained her thoughts on the message by saying “In bits I did agree with it, they did make Barbie- even in Barbie Land, able to be whatever she wanted to be, I really agreed with that portion.”
With there being so many different dolls and characters of personalities and ethnicities, everyone can relate to a character or two. Allen talked about the characters she related to, “I feel like I related to weird Barbie. I feel like that’s how I was seen when I grew up and people talked about me behind my back or to my face, but in the end they saw she was pretty cool and has good ideas.” Many other girls and women can relate to this.
Women and girls around the world have been able to experience similar feelings, as they saw their childhood on the big screen as well as finally feeling understood. Barbie has become so popular worldwide and it is understandable why. If you missed it in theaters the release in theaters you will be able to stream on September 12.
