Someone more cynical than Gerwig might have been less moved by Mattel’s corporate epiphany, 60 years into existence, that Barbie could sustain being a size 6, but cynicism is clearly not Gerwig’s way.
The movie sidesteps whatever role Barbie might play in perpetuating a narrow, idealized femininity; instead it gives this particular Barbie a crash course in modern misogyny.
After decades of fretting about girls’ wanting to be as perfect as Barbie, Gerwig serves up a Barbie struggling to be as resilient as us.
This woman is played by the 91-year-old, Oscar-winning costume designer Ann Roth, a friend of Gerwig’s.
If I don’t have that scene, I don’t know what it is or what I’ve done.”
Persons:
Barbie, ”, “, Gerwig, Ruth Handler, Rhea Perlman, Ariana Greenblatt, Ann Roth, Gerwig’s, —, ‘, ” Gerwig
Organizations:
Mattel
Locations:
Barbieland, Los Angeles