Barbie, Beauty and Buying

What is the movie saying?

Last weekend was a blockbuster movie weekend. I loved that so many of us were going to the theaters — it felt fun, and I’m happy for the film industry. I saw both Oppenheimer and Barbie. I loved Oppenheimer, but had quite mixed feelings about Barbie.

I may come across as angry here, but I don’t mean to insult anyone. I know its just a movie, entertainment. But these kind of mass market products — Barbie, and now I might argue, the movie — are what have caused so many problems for women over the years. There are some good “messages” in the movie amidst the fun, I love that. If they help some understand, then all the criticism I put forth here may not be important. I haven’t read any reviews yet, so as not to color my thoughts.

The movie gave me some laughs, and I particularly liked the performances by Ryan Gosling (Ken) and Kate McKinnon (Weird Barbie). But I came out of the theater feeling like I had been manipulated by a corporation.

There are many who love Barbie, I know, and I don’t mean to criticize those people at all — Barbie has been a catalyst for imaginative play for many people. That’s amazing and wonderful.

But what about all the little girls who have been negatively affected by the doll, who were made to question their beauty every single day…