Breaking Barriers: The Transformative Movie That Redefines Barbie's Legacy
Unveiling Barbie's Evolution: How the New Movie Redefines the Iconic Doll's Cultural Relevance
In an exclusive interview with Screen Rant, America Ferrera spoke about her role in the Barbie movie and how it expands on the doll's legacy. She plays Gloria, an employee of the doll's company in the real world, who encounters Margot Robbie's Barbie when she arrives from Barbieland. Together with her daughter Sasha, played by Ariana Greenblatt, Gloria joins Barbie on a journey of self-discovery to find a new meaning for life.
Ferrera shared that as a child, she didn't own any Barbie dolls due to financial constraints and the lack of representation for minorities. However, she praised the movie for addressing these issues and making Barbie more inclusive and relatable for modern audiences. Here's what Ferrera had to say:
Growing up, I never had the opportunity to play with Barbies, mainly because it was beyond our means. Additionally, the Barbie world didn't really connect with me as she didn't adequately represent who I was. However, what made the script so remarkable was that it expanded this world to include more diversity, allowing people like me to become a part of it. Being able to contribute to shaping an iconic and culturally influential figure like Barbie, which has defined standards for girls and women for decades, was an immensely gratifying experience.
I believe this is the reason why Barbie has endured over the years. Without any changes, she would simply become confrontational and unable to adapt to our evolving culture. In order for Barbie to continue being meaningful to new generations of young women and mothers, she needs to evolve and resonate with them.
Why The Barbie Movie Has To Deconstruct The Doll's Origins
The Barbie doll, originally created in the '50s by Ruth Handler and influenced by the German toy Bild Lilli, aimed to cater to a market lacking toy dolls representing adult figures. It was named after Handler's daughter, Barbara. However, since its introduction, the Barbie line has faced criticism from parents and feminist critics. Initially, they believed it was too provocative for children, while later, it was criticized for promoting unrealistic body standards. Some studies even suggest that Barbie's slim figure has contributed to an early onset of eating disorders in children.
Moreover, beyond body image concerns, the Barbie doll range has long been accused of lacking diversity, making it inaccessible to minority groups and those with physical disabilities. This has excluded a significant number of children worldwide. Despite these criticisms, there have been numerous animated direct-to-video Barbie titles. However, the endorsement from Ferrera for Gerwig's expansion of the doll's legacy suggests a promising approach to addressing these issues.
The casting for the Barbie movie is a clear sign of progress for the doll's legacy. It includes a diverse group of actors portraying different versions of Ken and Barbie, such as Issa Rae, Hari Nef, Simu Liu, Kingsley Ben-Adir, and Ncuti Gatwa. Gerwig and Robbie have also made sure that the film critiques Mattel in a real-world context, and the company has shown openness to this collaboration. This gives hope for a brighter future for the Barbie doll line.
