Hello Catriona, so I saw the film and loved the bright colours, the jokes and the fact it made a billion. It didn’t make me feel bad about not being a mother (though it might have when I was younger and thought I might have kids), but that quote about mothers standing still did make me cross.
First, because not all mothers have daughters and second because it implies older women are ‘standing still’.
For all its diversity, there are very few women of middle age or above represented - America Ferrara’s character (and I agree about entry-level feminism) and Ruth Handler (and maybe Weird Barbie?). And the Ruth character is presented in a cliched way with her cosy kitchen - I’d much rather see her break some stereotypes. Or maybe that’s to show how she’s been standing still?
Also, I wonder how men who’ve seen it feel? Especially the ones who’ve serenaded women with their guitar-playing...
That quote was SO annoying! And yes, totally agree that the representation of middle aged women really wasn't great. It feels like one the really could have easily done as well, with a few other Barbies in Barbieland x
Loved this! I am probably one of the only people who hasn’t seen the movie but I can imagine, as you say, there is some level of strategy behind it. And alienating mothers probably = less sales, so validating their choice is probably a smart strategy. I am also child-free by choice (and marketer by trade 😬)and by the sounds of it the Barbie narrative has maybe strayed from the message that I remember impacting my very early thinking that I didn’t want children. I am curious to watch the film but I think I might draw a similar conclusion to you.
Thank you so much for saying! Would definitely be interested to hear your thoughts, particularly from a professional perspective! It was only recently, and partly down to the movies hype, that I learned Barbie’s history particularly with regards to her not having kids so was even more excited to see the movie because of that. But, of course, it just makes sense that the movie and Mattel would try and distance themselves from that for profit reasons. It makes sense but is a shame xxx
I was disappointed in the whole movie. So much could have been done, and the "been played with too much" really bothered me. It was saying if things are done to you, you get broken, for good. Yeah, the fact people were wowed by this movie is more evidence that the population is just getting dumber, like the plan set up.
I didn't interpret it to push an agenda on anyone. Instead, I felt as though it intended to have me reflect on my own relationship with my mother, and to realize that she was once a child herself, and to give her grace.
Very interesting. I don’t have children (not particularly by choice, but I’ve come to accept it) and am a journalist & write a lot about business and a little about marketing. I’m seeing the film next week and so it’s good to have these perspectives going into it. I will report back...
Hello Catriona, so I saw the film and loved the bright colours, the jokes and the fact it made a billion. It didn’t make me feel bad about not being a mother (though it might have when I was younger and thought I might have kids), but that quote about mothers standing still did make me cross.
First, because not all mothers have daughters and second because it implies older women are ‘standing still’.
For all its diversity, there are very few women of middle age or above represented - America Ferrara’s character (and I agree about entry-level feminism) and Ruth Handler (and maybe Weird Barbie?). And the Ruth character is presented in a cliched way with her cosy kitchen - I’d much rather see her break some stereotypes. Or maybe that’s to show how she’s been standing still?
Also, I wonder how men who’ve seen it feel? Especially the ones who’ve serenaded women with their guitar-playing...
That quote was SO annoying! And yes, totally agree that the representation of middle aged women really wasn't great. It feels like one the really could have easily done as well, with a few other Barbies in Barbieland x
Loved this! I am probably one of the only people who hasn’t seen the movie but I can imagine, as you say, there is some level of strategy behind it. And alienating mothers probably = less sales, so validating their choice is probably a smart strategy. I am also child-free by choice (and marketer by trade 😬)and by the sounds of it the Barbie narrative has maybe strayed from the message that I remember impacting my very early thinking that I didn’t want children. I am curious to watch the film but I think I might draw a similar conclusion to you.
Thank you so much for saying! Would definitely be interested to hear your thoughts, particularly from a professional perspective! It was only recently, and partly down to the movies hype, that I learned Barbie’s history particularly with regards to her not having kids so was even more excited to see the movie because of that. But, of course, it just makes sense that the movie and Mattel would try and distance themselves from that for profit reasons. It makes sense but is a shame xxx
I was disappointed in the whole movie. So much could have been done, and the "been played with too much" really bothered me. It was saying if things are done to you, you get broken, for good. Yeah, the fact people were wowed by this movie is more evidence that the population is just getting dumber, like the plan set up.
I think I interpreted it a different way.
I didn't interpret it to push an agenda on anyone. Instead, I felt as though it intended to have me reflect on my own relationship with my mother, and to realize that she was once a child herself, and to give her grace.
Very interesting. I don’t have children (not particularly by choice, but I’ve come to accept it) and am a journalist & write a lot about business and a little about marketing. I’m seeing the film next week and so it’s good to have these perspectives going into it. I will report back...
Thanks Lucy! Will be really keen to hear what you think (even if you don’t feel the same) x