Fall 2023

women are treated, while Gosling’s Ken is simultaneously thrilled to discover the power of the patriarchy, which he muddles into a meaning that results in decorating with horse-themed everything and wearing two pairs of sunglass- es, triple watches on his wrists, and a floor-length faux fur coat.With Barbie distracted and Ken mesmerized by images of macho men, Barbieland is ripe for overthrowing. Ken hustles back to Barbieland, where he and the other Kens brainwash most of the Barbies into being their servants. Meanwhile, Robbie’s Barbie embarks on a journey through the Real World which results in an existential meltdown. After two trips to jail, being dissed by teen girls who accuse her of ruining women’s self-esteem, evading being trapped back in her box at the Mattel headquarters, an epic car chase, and meeting the ghost of her maker, Barbie makes it back to Barbieland. With the help of a human woman, Gloria, played by America Ferrera, her daughter, Sasha, played by Ariana Greenblatt, and some of the other dolls, they restore the equilibrium to Barbieland with some concessions made for the Kens, who eventually become more self-aware. The slightly jarring final act results in Barbie making the life-changing decision to become human; Billie Eilish’s haunting track “What Was I Made For?” reflects the bittersweet nature of her choice. For some local women, the themes of the movie seeped into the lim- inal space between the ticket line and the film. (Above) Ryan Gosling’s Ken is desperate for attention from Robbie’s Barbie, then leads a revolt in Barbieland, before realizing that he is “Kenough,” along with the other Kens, like his rival, played by actor Simu Liu (below). 102 C A R M E L M A G A Z I N E • F A L L 2 0 2 3 Photo: Courtesy of Warner Bros. Pictures Photo: Jaap Buitendijk