The Symbolism and Deeper Meaning of the New 'Barbie' Movie
The recent 'Barbie' movie has sparked intense debates and emotional reactions among viewers. This adaptation isn't merely a children's film; it delves into complex themes like identity, gender, and the transition from innocence to maturity. While some perceive it as a tool for the LGBTQ movement, others see it as a profound narrative that resonates on a deep, subconscious level.
Movie Overview
The narrative takes an intriguing turn when Barbie, reeling from an existential crisis, ventures into the real world. This crisis is triggered by her realization of human-like flaws such as bad breath and cellulite, which disrupt her perfect life in Barbieland. Seeking a cure, Barbie is advised by Weird Barbie to find the child who plays with her in the real world. Ken joins Barbie on this journey in his pink convertible. Their adventure is marked by challenges and discoveries, including societal issues like groping and arrest, and personal experiences that trace back to a Mattel employee named Gloria and her daughter Sasha's old Barbie toys.
Themes of Patriarchy and Societal Expectations
The film explores themes of patriarchy and societal expectations when Ken returns to Barbieland and leads a takeover, placing the Barbies into submissive roles. Barbie's struggles to revert these changes highlight the film's underlying message about the need for better treatment of all individuals, regardless of their roles or traits. The climax involves Barbie gaining new insights and self-awareness, ultimately deciding to become human and transition to the real world.
Emotional Impact and Interpretation
I left the theater in tears, a reaction that puzzled me at the time. Later, I realized it was a subconscious and emotional response akin to the way Stanley Kubrick's films stirred me. The movie appears to be a myth that illustrates the feminine version of the hero's journey, a concept well-documented in Greek mythology, Star Wars, and King Arthur sagas.
The Feminine Hero's Journey
Unlike the traditional hero's journey, which calls the hero to a mythical land to explore external challenges and meet important archetypes, the 'Barbie' film takes the journey inward. It begins with the internal world and connects to the real world for insight, then returns the wisdom from the external journey. Women, particularly from a young age, are more attuned to their internal emotions and physical experiences.
Internally, the girl's masculine traits of strength, courage, independence, and assertiveness are repressed, making them secondary to the feminine traits of vulnerability, fragility, interdependence, and empathy. Ken represents her animus, her internal masculine archetype. As she delves into the external world, she learns the limits of what she can achieve and the importance of realistic goals, such as becoming a doctor.
The movie also explores how women are often aware of their physical and emotional states, including the realization that sex plays a crucial role in the real world. Ken's desire to establish a patriarchy in the internal world is similar to Jung's concept of Animus possession, where the masculine psyche controls the feminine.
Conclusion
The 'Barbie' movie is more than just a light-hearted children's film. It delves into profound themes about identity, gender, and the transition from childhood to adulthood. It resonates with viewers on a deeper level, stirring emotions and sparking discussions about societal values, individual growth, and the importance of respecting all human traits and roles.