Is the Barbie movie not much fun or relatable if you aren't a very attractive successful woman?

[Periodschmeriod]

Not sure if I'm explaining myself properly. But if I've never been super pretty or successful at anything, will I probably feel kinda alienated by the film?

Love Greta Gerwig's other films and think Barbie looks fun, but unsure if I'm the 'right sort of woman' who will really get it, as maybe the issues just don't really apply to me?!

Don't want to leave the cinema feeling like I'm back at high school

I seen it today and actually really enjoyed it. The cinema was full of little girls who then chatted throughout as it was well over their heads, definitely aimed at adults.
It’s more about female empowerment and typical stereotypes than anything. Lots of funny little moments and some cringey too but made it quite funny.

hmmm... I quite like Dad jokes though, and I liked Clueless too. I may give Barbie flick a 5 minute trial when it comes on tv.

I'm really not insecure, anxious or needing a group hug. It sounds like a flick for the very anxious & insecure. Meh.

Mumsnet has put me off the whole idea of female empowerment. Because on Mumsnet that means MALE BASHING at every opportunity. How mothers of sons don't get ferociously angry about the constant man-hating on here, I cannot grasp. Statistically, even allowing for the child free & the childless and the few male MNers, at least half of MNers should be mothers of males.

I'll hide this thread. Then people can enjoy ... whatever. My absence? That's fine, too.

I loved the film it was funny and nostalgic. And exploration of matriarchal/patriarchal societies was really interesting

I suppose Barbie in the beginning isn't happy because she's attractive and successful, as those things have opposite options that don't exist in Barbieland (none of the women are fussed about attractiveness to men/other women, and they just do what they enjoy). She's just happy because she has no worries or responsibilities.

I know a lot of people hated it and it got overshadowed by Harry Styles nonsense but I felt Don't Worry Darling had a lot more to say on the patriarchy.

Unfortunately the film was shit.

It is self-referential, and that ‘knowing’ adds a layer of sardonic humour. As I said on another thread, there is a lot of ‘meta’ going on. Think Frozen 2. It deconstructs the whole Barbie aesthetic. It explores why it’s better to be the ‘artist’ than the ‘art’. There is some slapstick for the kids, but a lot of irony also that only adults will get. The opening is a parody of the start of 2001: A Space Odyssey.

You said it better that I could. Completely agree.

Well, with that erudite critique I realise that all the many people who enjoyed it were wrong. The scales have fallen from my eyes.

Or maybe you just missed the point.

It’s for all women tbh!

Everyone in the whole cinema laughed at that bit!

You’ll be fine, OP. It’s not what you think it is, but it’s very difficult to explain it without giving a load of spoilers. But for anyone who feels like being pretty and beautiful is the norm but you never quite fit in, this film is for you. Brilliant film.

I think it was focussed more on what women have to go through and showing how men would be if it was the reverse. I don’t think it’s much deeper than that. It’s supposed to be fun, reminiscent for those who played with barbies and question their value, as well as have a hit of femism.

I got dragged to see it. It was much better than I expected.

*No, it's at best mildly amusing.

I didn't like it. I watch a lot of films (I'm in the cinema at least once a week) so it's not like I don't understand the messaging or recognise the other films it's nodding to, but it was just a deeply bizarre and slightly dull 2 hours. It really reminded me of Josie and the Pussycats from the early 2000s with a dose of Clueless and the kind of jokes you'd find in one of the Lego movies.*

Thank God - thought it was just me. Have returned with a face on me because:

1. It really wasn't very funny. Knowing and funny aren't the same thing.
2. I'd pretty much seen it from the trailer.
3. Tonally, it's all over the shop trying to straddle different demographics.
4. Subtle, it ain't.
5. Blink-and-you-miss-it cameos are a huge waste of time and talent.
6. Plot is somewhat lame.
7. I do have a lovely son as well as daughters, who came with us. Is Alan all he gets?
8. Amazing example of hype and successful advertising campaign.

Genuinely glad many of you enjoyed it so much. I was more what the fuck did I just watch? No time for any of it other than Weird Barbie (and if Barbieworld was so frigging sisterhood why were they ostracising Kate in the first place! )

I laughed out loud quite a few times. My 14yo not so much! She says they were old people jokes. There's a lot of poking fun at Andrew Tate style toxic masculinity.

Ah, it was all about expectations. I expected to have trouble staying awake, and it was better than that, so great. If your expectations were higher then you might be disappointed.

Blink-and-you-miss-it cameos are a huge waste of time and talent.

Probably not for the actors and their bank balances.

I thought it was very funny. Trying not to do spoilers, but I laughed at the way the lyrics of the Lizzo song changed, the way Barbieland reflected how children play with dolls, the Kate McKinnon character so much, the discontinued dolls, the fascist joke, Ken's "job", the difference between Barbie and Ken's initial feelings when they entered the real world, and many more things. DS thought the funniest thing was Will Ferrell.

If you are the type to dismiss a film because of "ultra-wokeness" I suspect it'll go over your head anyway.

You could say that about literally any Hollywood movie though.

I personally didn’t love it, was as subtle as a brick, but there were some good jokes and my 9yo came out buzzing and talking about the patriarchy (and asking questions about some of the themes) which I was pleasantly surprised by, so a positive in my book.

I have never had to throw a ring into the fiery chasm from whence it came, but LOTR is still my favourite film series.

Why does everything have to be relatable these days? My husband hates most male-led comedies, we've tried a few recently and have given up because he prefers female-led rom coms, preferably about dating, babies and weddings.

People who've seen it, is it enjoyable for an 11yo? Dd is keen to see it but I can't decide if some of the themes are too adult from the synopses!

it is just amusing
not deep

Just go and watch it and find out. Then watch oppenheimer