Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Child-safe in minutes.

Meet the Other Phone.
Child-safe in minutes.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Chat

Join the discussion and chat with other Mumsnetters about everyday life, relationships and parenting.

Original poster

Went to see Barbie last night…

109 replies

NotAnotherMojito · 24/07/2023 07:36

Loved the costumes and some simple laughs…

But generally, I thought the film was a bit dark and not quite what it seems.
The feminist agenda, patriarchy, Ken’s long way to empowerment were the obvious points but I have also felt that the underlying message was that we are all a bit fed up with girl power and some of us just “want to be”. Same for men - some are happy not to be masters of this world and tired of masculinity expectations. They do not know what they want anymore and they are holding on to the idea of patriarchy like a comfort blanket.

Not sure I have worded this very well early in the day but somehow instead of reinforcing feminist agenda, the film has left me confused. Is it ok not to aspire to be anything special (or only if you look like Stereotypical Barbie)?

OP posts:
urbanbuddha · 02/08/2023 06:33

But denying the patriarchy.
Were those posters given away by their father at their wedding?

Doubt it. Sounds like a man.

WildUnchartedWaters · 02/08/2023 08:31

urbanbuddha · 02/08/2023 06:33

But denying the patriarchy.
Were those posters given away by their father at their wedding?

Doubt it. Sounds like a man.

I was being facetious but there are so many aspects of the patriarchy engrained that we dont even talk about anymore.

Lovingitallnow · 03/08/2023 14:19

I watched it. I fecking loved it. I would have considered myself a staunch feminist growing up and well into adulthood, until I had my son and then I basically threw my career away and became a sahp. At the back (middle, front, sides- all around really) of my mind I feel like a traitor to feminism and I need to do better. And yes feminism means being able to make any choice, but that doesn't mean you're supposed to make the wrong choice. I'm supposed to work on my career for future generations of women to have the choice etc. So I loved the idea that yes you're supposed to do what you want but if you're not a president or Nobel prize winner etc it doesn't mean you're a patriarchy facilitator- you've made a choice.

Blahblahgingerbreadlady · 03/08/2023 16:55

Lovingitallnow · 03/08/2023 14:19

I watched it. I fecking loved it. I would have considered myself a staunch feminist growing up and well into adulthood, until I had my son and then I basically threw my career away and became a sahp. At the back (middle, front, sides- all around really) of my mind I feel like a traitor to feminism and I need to do better. And yes feminism means being able to make any choice, but that doesn't mean you're supposed to make the wrong choice. I'm supposed to work on my career for future generations of women to have the choice etc. So I loved the idea that yes you're supposed to do what you want but if you're not a president or Nobel prize winner etc it doesn't mean you're a patriarchy facilitator- you've made a choice.

Completely agree. Also it doesn’t take away from what you did before. The whole point is it’s ok to be at home with your kid especially as it’s not forever, man or woman.

Rosaofthevalley · 13/08/2023 22:21

I just thought it was awful.

Very very strange movie, lots of man bashing. Stupid imbeciles they were all depicted as.

It could have been so inspirational, started well but really missed the mark by not showing equality and rather trying to show matriarchy as the ‘right’ way.

TonTonMacoute · 13/08/2023 22:33

DS (24)went to see it, I thought he might hate it, but this is what he said:-

“I actually really liked the film, and it has a nice message of self-actualisation and self-improvement, although it is a little man bashy at times. I think to take it so literally though is a little foolish since both sides of the film are designed to be opposite caricatures of a woman's world and a man's world. It's not supposed to be a literal representation of the real world.”

Interesting to see several of you are pretty much saying the same thing!

Holidayvibes · 13/08/2023 22:38

Annachristie · 24/07/2023 08:11

I haven't seen it (not going to) but can't help wondering how much Mattel paid Google to have the front page in pink font and explode with pink stars when you search for Barbie or Margot Robbie.

Omg didn’t know this but so bloody cool! 🤣😍

Blahblahgingerbreadlady · 14/08/2023 14:18

Rosaofthevalley · 13/08/2023 22:21

I just thought it was awful.

Very very strange movie, lots of man bashing. Stupid imbeciles they were all depicted as.

It could have been so inspirational, started well but really missed the mark by not showing equality and rather trying to show matriarchy as the ‘right’ way.

I didn’t think there was any men bashing. I think it was trying to show the reality of life and that it’s not equal. It was just making things ‘fair’, as things take time. What would you have wanted to see? I actually thought it was very sympathetic to men.

BodgerLovesMashedPotato · 14/08/2023 14:25

Holidayvibes · 13/08/2023 22:38

Omg didn’t know this but so bloody cool! 🤣😍

Show quote history

It also does it if you search for Ryan Gosling / Ken 😁

New posts on this thread. Refresh page
Swipe left for the next trending thread