I find the praise for this movie and particularly America’s monologue really bizarre because her whole tirade is only true for women still trying to exist in a way that pleases men. The whole “you have to be this, but can’t be that, we have to look like this, but can’t do that” really only exists in a realm that you’re trying to fit in with/appease men. There are many many feminist lesbians who do not fit the current beauty standard, who make no effort to do so, who make no excuses or apologies for just being themselves and they are perfectly happy existing outside the framework of needing men’s approval in any way. I watched Barbie and I watched that whole speech and not one sentence of it resonated with me. Who says you have to be thin but not too thin? And even if they did say that, it would only matter if your aim is to appear attractive to them. You have to be a mum but not talk about your kids too much. According to whom? Don’t talk to people about things they’re not interested in. Problem solved. Talk about your kids to people who care about you and by extension care about your family. That’s not gonna be everyone and that’s ok. I don’t wanna hear about my work colleagues’ kids either. Don’t give a tit tbh.
I really felt like the whole movie tried to champion a feminist narrative but the uplifting moment and speech was only true or relevant if you’re living your life wanting to be attractive to men or accepted by men. Maybe I’ve lived a very sheltered and boring life but even “you’ve got to have money, but you can’t ask for money”. Like… when has that ever been said? And unless it’s someone whose opinion and thoughts your value, why would you give a duck if someone either thought that or said it to you?
I didn’t hate the movie. I actually thought it was funny. Ryan Gosling made me laugh a lot. But it was about as deep as a puddle and it concerns me that so many young ladies found it groundbreaking and really thought provoking.
