Fall 2023

Criticism of the film accuses the movie of having a gay agenda and being dangerous and perverse, among other things.Weiss responds that those making such claims are benefiting from the patriarchy. “Barbie gave a lot of kids the idea that you could be anything. She isn’t just a doll. She’s a doctor, a scientist, an equestrienne…All we want as women is to be left alone by men or supported by them. In the movie, Barbie apolo- gizes to Ken, but the Kens invaded the Barbies’ space instead of finding their own.This is sparking a lot of conversation about the patriarchy and women’s roles that we have been forced into since the beginning of history.” In response to the film’s success and controversy, Gerwig told the New York Times she did not expect backlash to “Barbie” and her hope is for the movie to give people some “relief.” “I wanted to make something anarchic and wild and funny and cathartic, and the idea that it’s actually being received that way, it’s sort of extraordi- nary…Certainly there’s a lot of passion. My hope for the movie is that it’s an invitation for everybody to be part of the party and let go of the things that aren’t necessarily serving us as either women or men…” If the huge numbers rolling into the theaters and the splashy excite- ment about the movie is any indication, there’s a whole lot of love for the film, in no small part due to Robbie’s portrayal. She manages to convey a Barbie converting into a human with sweetness, depth, humor, kindness, forgiveness and power—and ultimately joy. At press time, “Barbie” had surpassed the billion-dollar mark in ticket sales, setting box office records. (Top) In a nod to “2001: A Space Odyssey,” Barbie awes little girls used to baby dolls. (Below) Gerwig with the group that regains control of Barbieland from the Kens. 108 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