Barbie - The Movie

This week I joined the masses (and Jael) and watched Barbie. For a full review and analysis of the movie, check out davidrietveld.com. Here is a brief review and an exploration of one theme in the movie.

Barbie wakes up in her perfect world – a fantastic, hot-pink but still a plastic world where she is everything she ever wanted to be, everyone is nice, life is a beach, and Ken adores her. This is the dream world of the 1960s and 70s feminism (called 2nd wave feminism), where women can do anything men can do, but better.

Somehow her world breaks down, and Barbie must travel to the real world to fix it. Barbie anticipates a real world where she has inspired a generation of young girls to be empowered, liberated, and fulfilled women. Instead, she discovers a world where gender wars continue, patriarchy still oppresses, and females have lost faith in Barbie and her 1970s plastic promises. In the process, Barbie begins to question herself.

Poor (but still beautiful) Barbie has an existential crisis. Who is she, and what does she contribute? She yearns to be an agent of real change, not the plastic product of the male-driven multinational – Mattel.

At this point, Barbie is struggling with what it means to be a person, to be human. She realises the answer involves more than just being someone else’s creation. Barbie desires to be creative, to shape something, to make a difference, and to leave a legacy.

At this point, the movie parallels our current sermon series – Vice Regents. The birds of the air and the fish of the sea are just creatures. Humans are that and more. As bearers of God’s image, humans carry his authority to order. The life of pleasure and consumption is ultimately unfulfilling. We were made for more and have an innate sense of calling and purpose.

When and where is your life more than plastic and consumption?

By Rev. David Rietveld