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A first sight of Barbie, the movie

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“She’s everything. He’s just Ken”

A lot going on in this film. Bright like bubblegum, sticky too. Kept me thinking about the ending.

The main stars, Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling, were absolutely key to this, and they really held the ribbons together. The director is Greta Gerwig.

Have no idea what the audience thought. It was a packed, 9.15, Saturday night screening, and they arrived in chattering, happy, brightly dressed young groups or pairs. They left quietly.

Would love to know what you think if you’ve had a chance to see it. I think I need to watch it again.

Copyright Georgie Knaggs & The Phraser 2023

10 thoughts on “A first sight of Barbie, the movie”

  1. I went to see Barbie this past Wednesday (July 26). It was the first movie I’d seen since February 2020! While it’s pitched as a comedy and there are certainly some very funny moments, I thought it was a far more serious movie than what I had been led to believe. So many issues raised that are still issues for women. The women who plays Gloria was very good at summing them up…”we have to always be extraordinary, but somehow we’re always doing it wrong. You have to be thin but not too thin…you have to stay pretty but not so pretty that you tempt men or threaten women, never get old, never be rude, never show off…”, etc. Pretty sad that in spite of the great strides made by women, these are still issues for so many of us. So if that wasn’t enough, the next day I went to see Oppenheimer. Not an uplifting movie but it was absorbing. The three hours flew by.

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    • Thanks so much for your comment. So interesting to hear what you thought. Barbie took me by surprise as well – it looks so candyfloss but definitely is not. A lot to absorb and pitched quite fast especially towards the end. I haven’t seen Oppenheimer yet. Still debating whether to go or not.

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  2. Hi Georgie,

    Thanks for not spoiling the plot. 🙏🏼 I am hoping to take a student tomorrow as a summer lesson treat. She is Dutch and 10 years old, an old 10 as her father is 64, brother 19 and sister 21. However, it is rated an age 9 certificate here in The Netherlands 🇳🇱 which means that a 9 year old has to be accompanied by an adult. So she is legally allowed to go. Mum is happy too, but I just wondered if you might have thought it was ‘too mature?’. She watches all the Pirates of the Caribbean films and is well aware of gender issues etc…. Just curious to know your thoughts having seen it?
    I know I am looking forward to it, also quite fascinated to know what all the hype is about it. I always had the British Cindy Doll as a child as a direct snub to the US Barbie! 😉 Thank you!

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    • Hi Glynis – thanks so much for your question. It’s hard to advise not having met your student, but if she is well aware of gender issues then this will certainly give you both plenty to discuss. She would be at least a couple of years younger than anyone I saw in the screening we went to see. Visually there is nothing alarming that I can remember at all – far cosier visually than a lot of animated films aimed at children much younger than her. However, thinking about it now, the opening scene, which references another film, did surprise me, but perhaps it was an intentional wake-up, as I had not researched the movie at all before ambling in with family and popcorn. I thinks it’s a film that definitely wants your attention, but it does also provide plenty of bright entertainment to go with its swirl of ideas. I hope you both find it worthwhile. I only wish I could sit in on your discussions afterwards. I think talking about it will be key. Hope that’s helpful, and in time.

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      • Dear Georgie

        Thank you very much for your prompt and helpful reply. It does sound so interesting! Yes, very difficult to give an informed answer having not met her, but your response makes me think she will definitely enjoy it, she is very mature for her age and I do believe it will be a great discussion!

        Saying all that, the film may, of tonight, be delayed as we were going as the weather has been very wet here, but miraculously there is sunshine predicted for tomorrow, in which case, we may go with the original plan of a wildlife park in Germany. However, Peter and I are definitely going to go on Wednesday night, so I will return comments. I do hope I get to take my student at a later date, as you have now made me very keen knowing there is much to discuss! I can feel a scheme of work for a few lessons on the horizon! Many kind thanks again for your comprehensive reply.

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