Mattel's famous doll, Barbie, has as many critics as she does fans, but Greta Gerwig's Barbie movie could make her a feminist icon and a better role model to little girls. Barbie is highly anticipated, especially with details about the film being kept a secret. While little is known about how Barbie's character will fit into this era of women's empowerment, it's clear that the movie presents a major opportunity to rehabilitate a once-problematic toy.
Barbie will be the first live-action film centered around Mattel's well-known doll. Barbie is set to be written and directed by Greta Gerwig, one of the very few women to be nominated for best director. Gerwig's Barbie has a lot to contend with. Barbie as a doll has often been at the center of controversies since her inception in 1959, especially regarding the lack of diversity and promotion of unrealistic body standards.
As a strong, visionary female director, Greta Gerwig may be able to fix the problems of Barbie's past. Gerwig puts women at the forefront of her movies and often tells the untold stories of women. Her films like Lady Bird and Little Women highlight unconventional stories about women and their relationships with one another, creating insightful stories about women. This will be extremely important in the Barbie movie, as her unfiltered and feminist take will likely ensure Barbie is not a two-dimensional character, but a well-fleshed-out woman, navigating a toxic culture of expectations. Especially if Barbie is set in the real world. Though Mattel has tried to fix its mistakes with more diverse dolls like their curvy Barbie and a Barbie with hearing aids, the movie could help solidify Barbie's new reputation as a feminist icon.
Barbie is known for her iconic blonde mane, bikini-ready body, and bright blue eyes, but Greta Gerwig announced that she wanted to give Barbie a more feminist edge. With Margot Robbie set to play Barbie, the film could fall into the same pitfalls as the doll does. Much of the criticism of Barbie comes from her looks, as she promotes a lack of diversity and unrealistic body standards. Originally, Barbie was going to be played by Amy Schumer, who wanted to create a film about the unrealistic standards of beauty, but Robbie was cast after Schumer dropped out. Robbie playing Barbie could actually do more good than harm, giving the chance for a more nuanced criticism, rather than the more obvious approach Schumer often takes.
Though much of the released promotion has been on Barbie and Ken, the Barbie movie will hopefully focus on Barbie and her friends, showcasing the importance of relationships between women and that there isn't just one beauty standard. American Ferrara, Alexandra Shipp, Issa Rae, Nicola Coughlan, Sharon Rooney, and Ritu Arya have all been reportedly cast in Barbie. While many of their roles are largely unknown, they could be an important key in ushering Barbie into the new age. Gerwig focuses on relationships between women and has a personal connection to Barbie. Gerwig grew up playing with Barbies and spent much of her time trying to get them to look perfect. It seems Gerwig has a deep understanding of the long history of Barbie and that the iconic doll needs change.
Mattel's "You can be anything" tagline for Barbie is one thing they have completely gotten right. It is a non-reductive message of women empowerment that the Barbie movie could utilize to fix almost all of the criticisms Barbie faces. Barbie can be imperfect and real, something the movie needs to show. Greta Gerwig's Barbie has the chance to reinforce Barbie as a diverse, feminist icon who sashays into a new age while still colorfully clad in her iconic pink.
