Hi, Barbie!

The Barbie movie is a must see. The marketing for this film was extraordinary and I was immediately hooked when the first promo shot was shown of Margot Robbie in the Barbie car. As the release date approached, more and more came out about the film and I was still 100% convinced I needed to see it - if anything, for the fashion. I absolutely loved who they cast in the film and just knew it was going to be a banger. 

I didn't actually see it opening weekend, but the weekend after. Really, I've only ever seen the Harry Potter films and some Marvel ones on opening days/weekend (I miss midnight viewings). So, while I didn't find that the movie was spoiled for me, I did learn a little more about the messaging of the film. I think that turned some people off to it, but it made me want to see it that much more. 

Is it a kid's film? Not really. Sure, I think kids would enjoy the aesthetic scenery and they would maybe be able to understand some of themes. The music is fantastic. But I think it was truly made with Gen X and Millennials in mind. Maybe Gen Z. Everything I ever thought about Barbie was brought up and it just made me love her more. I laughed, I cried, and I left wanting more. 

America Ferrera's speech in the film was certainly not groundbreaking. Have we heard it before? Absolutely. That doesn't mean it didn't feel amazing to hear and, I don't know, maybe the message will get through some skulls. 

"It is literally impossible to  be a woman. You are so beautiful, and so smart, and it kills me that you don't think you're good enough. Like, we have to always be extraordinary, but somehow we're always doing it wrong.

You have to be thin, but not too thin. And you can never say you want to be thin. You have to say you want to healthy, but also you have to be thin. You have to have money, but you can't ask for money because that's crass. You have to be a boss, but you can't be mean. You have to lead, but you can't squash other people's ideas. You're supposed to love being a mother, but don't talk about your kids all the damn time. You have to be a career woman, but also always be looking out for other people. You have to answer for men's bad behavior, which is insane, but if you point that out, you're accused of complaining.

You're supposed to stay pretty for men, but not so pretty that you tempt them too much or that you threaten other women because you're supposed to be a part of the sisterhood. But always stand out and always be grateful. But never forget that the system is rigged. So find a way to acknowledge that but also always be grateful. You have to never get old, never be rude, never show off, never be selfish, never fall down, never fail, never show fear, never get out of line. It's too hard! And it turns out in fact that no only are you doing everything wrong, but also everything is your fault. 

I'm just so tired of watching myself and every single other woman tie herself into knots so that people will like us. And if all of that is also true for a doll just representing women, then I don't even know."

I hope every woman I come across knows that I want them to shine brighter than they ever thought they could. And that my brightness doesn't dim theirs. There's room for all of us. And that's why I adore this film and why I will be watching it over and over. It's fabulous in the smartest and prettiest way. Because you can be both.