Barbie (film)

Barbie (film)
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Name	Barbie
Director	Greta Gerwig
Producer	Margot Robbie, Tom Ackerley, Robbie Brenner, David Heyman
Writer	Greta Gerwig, Noah Baumbach
Starring	Margot Robbie, Ryan Gosling, America Ferrera, Kate McKinnon, Issa Rae, Rhea Perlman, Will Ferrell
Music	Mark Ronson, Andrew Wyatt
Cinematography	Rodrigo Prieto
Editing	Nick Houy
Studio	Heyday Films, LuckyChap Entertainment, Mattel Films
Distributor	Warner Bros. Pictures
Released	2023, 07, 09, Los Angeles, 2023, 07, 21, United States
Runtime	114 minutes
Country	United States
Language	English
Budget	$145 million
Gross	$1.4 billion

Barbie (film). Directed by Greta Gerwig from a screenplay she co-wrote with Noah Baumbach, the film is a fantasy comedy that follows the iconic doll on a journey of self-discovery from the matriarchal Barbieland to the real world. Produced by Margot Robbie, who also stars in the title role, the film is a major release from Mattel Films and became a global cultural phenomenon upon its release in the summer of 2023. It explores themes of feminism, patriarchy, and existentialism through a vibrant, satirical lens, achieving both critical acclaim and record-breaking commercial success.

Plot

The narrative begins in the idyllic, female-centric Barbieland, where every version of Barbie and Ken lives in seemingly perfect harmony. After experiencing an existential crisis, "Stereotypical Barbie" ventures into the real world, specifically Los Angeles, to find the human playing with her, accompanied by her besotted Ken. Their journey reveals the complexities and inequalities of contemporary society, contrasting sharply with their homeland. Ken returns to Barbieland and institutes a patriarchy, prompting Barbie to return and help the other Barbies reclaim their world, culminating in a new understanding of identity and purpose for all characters.

Cast

Margot Robbie portrays the central "Stereotypical Barbie," with Ryan Gosling as her associated "Beach Ken." The ensemble includes multiple other Barbies, played by Issa Rae as President Barbie, Kate McKinnon as Weird Barbie, and Alexandra Shipp as Writer Barbie, among others. The Kens feature Simu Liu and Kingsley Ben-Adir, while America Ferrera plays Gloria, a Mattel employee who becomes crucial to the plot. Will Ferrell appears as the CEO of Mattel, and Rhea Perlman has a pivotal role as Ruth Handler, the inventor of the Barbie doll.

Production

Development began in 2018 under Mattel Films and Robbie Brenner. Greta Gerwig was announced as co-writer and director in 2021, bringing her distinctive voice to the project alongside partner Noah Baumbach. Principal photography, led by cinematographer Rodrigo Prieto, took place primarily at Warner Bros. Studios, Leavesden in England throughout 2022. The production design, overseen by Sarah Greenwood, created the expansive, meticulously detailed sets of Barbieland. The soundtrack was curated by Mark Ronson and Andrew Wyatt, featuring original songs from artists like Dua Lipa and Billie Eilish.

Themes and analysis

The film is widely analyzed as a sharp satire on patriarchy and a exploration of feminist ideals, deconstructing the legacy of the Barbie brand. Scholars have noted its engagement with concepts from Simone de Beauvoir and Gloria Steinem, using the doll's journey to critique societal expectations of women. The contrast between Barbieland and the real world serves as an allegory for gender politics, while Ken's arc examines fragile masculinity. Its meta-commentary on consumerism and the influence of Mattel has also been a focal point for cultural critics, situating it within broader discussions about art and corporate IP.

Release

The film held its world premiere at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles on July 9, 2023. It was released theatrically in the United States by Warner Bros. Pictures on July 21, 2023, alongside Christopher Nolan's Oppenheimer (film), spawning the "Barbenheimer" cultural moment that drove significant box office traffic. The global rollout followed, with the film opening in major markets like the United Kingdom and Australia. A robust marketing campaign included partnerships with brands like Airbnb and Xbox, and a prominent presence at CinemaCon.

Reception

The film received widespread critical praise, with particular acclaim for Gerwig's direction, the screenplay's intelligence and humor, Robbie's performance, and Gosling's scene-stealing turn. It earned over $1.4 billion worldwide, becoming the highest-grossing film of 2023 and the highest-grossing film ever directed by a woman. At the 96th Academy Awards, it received eight nominations, including Best Picture, and won for Best Original Song ("What Was I Made For?" by Billie Eilish). The film sparked extensive discourse on social media and in publications like The New York Times, cementing its status as a defining pop culture event.

Category:2023 films Category:American fantasy comedy films Category:Warner Bros. films