Barbie

The Oscar nominations have dropped. Years ago, I watched and kept track of the Academy Awards. Not so much now. I checked and am not too interested in the leading films.

Barbie is one of the top films that received a somewhat ridiculous amount of anticipation and attention. The other (on reserve) involves a biopic of someone leading the creation of the nuclear bomb. The two were like the two "must-see" films. Few had anything bad to say.

I am not here to dis the film. The Academy Awards nominators did that by not nominating the director or Margot Robbie (who played the lead Barbie, "stereotypical Barbie"). America Ferrera (not a Barbie) received a Best Supporting Actress nomination. "Ken" (Ryan Gosling) also received a Best Supporting Actor nomination. 

[Greta Gerwig, of course, is a big part of why the film was nominated for Best Picture. She also was nominated (with her husband) for Best Adapted Screenplay. It also has awards for production design, costume, and song.]

It is seen as a bit much that Barbie did not get a nod but Ken did. This is fair to a point. But, a woman did get a nod too. The message is that Barbie dolls are objects of others. These "others" in a fashion received their due here. 

[ETA: Upon further thought, I think the argument leaves something to be desired as to Margot Robbie. 

Ryan Gosling received a supporting nomination. A woman also did for this film. So, should Robbie (since "Ken" did) replace another Best Actress nomination? I can see how a close split resulted in someone else getting in there. It is not a sexist plot. 

This isn't the first time the director of a top Best Film was not nominated. Still, directing was an important part of making this film. 

Again, you would have to decide if someone else should be knocked off. She also received a writing nod, if shared. Was this a possible tie-breaker? Who knows.]

The film did a great job giving us a look at Barbie-Land and an imaginary look at Mattel HQ. It should get some sort of technical awards for this magic of the movies accomplishment. And, yes, ultimately, the director should be honored for the overall accomplishment.  

I liked the film as a whole. A good judge of this is that I was able to watch it straight through. I have issues with watching films straight through these days. It might be a result of the Internet or whatever. The acting was good, including America Ferrera, a mom who is actually the cause of Barbie's existential crisis. 

She added to the whole wonderland feel. The overall plot is good. It is not extraordinary. That is fine. It just is that some of the talk makes it sound like this is a classic film. I don't think so. It's a good film. It has movie magic. It just is not AMAZING as some make it out to be. 

Don't say I am not the audience. I liked AF's traveling pants films. I can relate to "women's" pictures (and it is appropriate things begin when the mom has issues; in a fashion, it's like Mamma Mia! for speaking to adults).

A charm of this film is creating a Barbie universe (including an all-women Supreme Court, which many girls playing with Barbie dolls won't think about ... some will!). It is also about the overall message. The director repeatedly has made films with strong women characters. 

Barbie suddenly is depressed (that's weird!) and has to find the "girl" who played with her to find out what is happening. Ken (who has his own crisis when he realizes his existence is all about Barbie, not himself) goes along. He is amazed at how men control everything. He goes back and Barbie-land is controlled by men. 

Until Barbie and company save the day. Then, Stereotypical Barbie decides she needs to be human. She becomes Barbara Handler. The film ends with her going for her first gynecological appointment! Talk about metaphors. 

Still, women can play Barbie. Or watch this film.

A Beginning's Guide to Japanese Haiku is the source of this quote. Haiku is short Japanese poetry with a naturalistic focus. It was interesting to read about it. Still, for me personally, a few short verses will do it. A book fill of them with short biographies of the poets was a tad tedious. 

Still glad I skimmed it.