Highlights
Summer 2023 sees the popularity of Greta Gerwig's Barbie and Christopher Nolan's Oppenheimer, despite some backlash against Barbie's feminist themes.
Bill Maher aligns himself with the critics who disapprove of the depiction of the patriarchy in the film, deeming it a false concept that refuses to die. He raises doubts about the authenticity of specific scenes in Barbie and encourages individuals to remain grounded in the present reality, regardless of the movie's positive feedback from both reviewers and viewers. #BarbieMovie.
In the summer of 2023, the Barbenheimer wave has swept across millions of fans who are venturing on a pilgrimage to witness the historic double feature of Greta Gerwig's Barbie and Christopher Nolan's Oppenheimer. Both films have garnered overwhelming praise from critics and audiences alike. However, amidst the positive reception, there exists a vocal minority that voices their disagreement with Barbie's feminist themes, with Bill Maher being the latest addition to this dissenting group.
In Gerwig's interpretation of Barbie, Margot Robbie takes on the role of the protagonist as she transcends Barbieland's idyllic state of perfection and ventures into a darker and treacherous real world. The film explores themes of feminism and patriarchy, as Barbie comes to the realization that the real world is predominantly governed by men, unlike her native land. While the film's intention was to inspire viewers to contemplate the power imbalances in society and celebrate womanhood, there remains a faction that does not share these sentiments.
Political commentator Maher recently shared a detailed critique of Gerwig's Barbie, focusing primarily on his disapproval of how patriarchy is portrayed in the film. Maher goes as far as labeling the film a "Zombie Lie," a false narrative that is perpetuated despite clear evidence to the contrary. He argues that the film's portrayal of patriarchy is outdated, considering big corporations like Mattel, the company responsible for Barbie, now have women well-represented in their executive boards. According to Maher, Barbie unnecessarily paints men in an excessively negative light, although he acknowledges the remnants of patriarchy still exist.
Maher's criticism extends beyond the portrayal of patriarchy. He highlights the unrealistic nature of certain scenes, particularly one where the Barbies must act helpless and dependent to win over the Kens. Maher and one of his female friends find this scenario highly unlikely. While Maher finds Barbie entertaining, he asserts that it falls into the category of a #Zombielie, and those who reject such falsehoods are simply acknowledging the current reality. Maher emphasizes the importance of living in the present and embracing the year we are currently in.
Despite facing accusations, Barbie continues to thrive both among critics and at the box office. This not only sets a record for female-led films but also signifies a momentous achievement for the entire industry. With an impressive 88 percent critic score and an equally remarkable 84 percent audience score on Rotten Tomatoes, Barbie has garnered significant positive reception. Furthermore, it has crossed the remarkable milestone of $1 billion in box office earnings, making it the highest-grossing live-action film directed by a female in history. Don't miss the opportunity to watch Barbie in theaters now.
Source: Bill Maher