observational review of the Barbie 2023 Movie
This is my first ever written review and the first one I publish online, I am fully aware of only being a beginner in this craft, as I intend to learn from it and progress throughout the years. I want to address the observed character's personal development and growth throughout their story. Feel free to provide me with critique as it would help me greatly to improve from there, as I am free to learn something new. The picture is taken with VLC's Snapshot feature.
Summary, quoted from IMDB
"Barbie and Ken are having the time of their lives in the colorful and seemingly perfect world of Barbie Land. However, when they get a chance to go to the real world, they soon discover the joys and perils of living among humans."
From what I have observed
The main character, Barbie, is portrayed by Margot Robbie, and is shown to be 'the original perfect Barbie'. She is perfect in all ways you can imagine and think of and is completely flawless. Until suddenly she asks about death itself, which shocks her surroundings. No one is flawless, though, no one is perfect, not even Barbie. I am not perfect either, I am full of flaws that I often fail to see in the moment and won't know of it if nobody tells me about them.
This is where I first observe that Barbie is doubting her 'perfect-ness', as she begins to doubt herself, she becomes more ordinary and normal. Already making it noticeable how she identifies with being absolutely perfect, through and through. (She even has flat feet and develops cellulite, basically a usually normal human experience of not being perfect and being full of flaws, whether inward or outward.) This doubt continues to trouble her even after she finds the girl who is playing with her (Gloria). Due to her incessant belief in being absolutely perfect, she is torn between the imperfection of humans and the perfection of a doll.
Having moments of self-reflection and actualisation I empathised with her not being sure where to belong to. I felt the self-doubt she was having as it is very comfortable to be in a familiar identity. Going through a sort of identity crisis myself, not knowing for sure if my beliefs or thoughts are being heard and understood. Then being pulled to the other side, drawn to it basically, because it sounds like an optimal escape, but where to go? This is what I noticed in Barbie, she was always thinking of others, other destinies, fates and stories, but it was difficult for her to imagine herself. If everyone gets to have their destiny and fate decided, why can't she? And I mean destiny and fate decided not by other people, but by themselves, something that the movie doesn't really mention... did everyone really get to choose their own thing in the end? Is everything really a choice oneself makes or do others make them for you? I am unsure, if self-made choices are even possible, especially considering the research recently conducted on determinism about free will, whether we humans act upon our own free will or determined by others?
Barbie was able to grow and develop her character, because she found a direction, not because she found it herself, yes, it started with herself (technically), but the implementation of Ruth Handler (portrayed by Rhea Perlman) showed her the way by saying she never intended Barbie to be 'the perfect woman', neither particularly influence any woman, girl, whatsoever.
Barbie starts to understand that, this is my favourite scene, where she just starts to go on her mighty way, on her own. Of course, with the help of newly made friends, Gloria, Sasha and Gloria's unnamed husband (I am still curious what his name is, besides 'Dad'). Barbie is no longer "Barbie" but "Barbara Handler".
I keep thinking about the fact she went to a gynaecologist. Something so normal to do nowadays, but it gives a perspective of the privilege of even choosing to go to one. Even being able to know it exists boggles my mind. Imagine how it was different for people who don't know of one, people from wayyy back. This marks Barbara's newly starting life. Even if the real world is so much more daunting than Barbie world. I would also say, notice how her is slightly messy? And Sasha now wears pink? I bet I am not the only one who noticed this.
Yes, I just made this to portray I give 7 out of 10 stars for the observed character growth and development. It is good but some things are lacking, which I find unfortunate.
