The recent release of the ‘Barbie‘ movie, co-written by Noah Baumbach and Greta Gerwig, has ignited a wave of controversy over its portrayal of patriarchy, leading to an unexpected ‘anti-man’ backlash. The film, which opened in theaters over the summer, has been criticized by several conservative figures for its jokes, which they perceive as being anti-man. This backlash took the film’s creators by surprise, as they did not anticipate such a strong reaction from the public.
In a “60 Minutes” interview, Baumbach and Gerwig discussed the surprising response to their blockbuster comedy. Gerwig explained, “The movie is meant to be a big-hearted thing, even though it’s poking fun at everyone.” She compared the film’s humor to the ancient Greek comedy ‘Lysistrata’, arguing that it’s not more man-hating than Aristophanes’ work.
Feminism in Focus: ‘Barbie’ Strives for Gender Commentary
The ‘Barbie‘ film, directed by Gerwig and co-written by Baumbach, has been praised for its feminist message, bringing laughs and emotion in equal measure. However, the film’s portrayal of male characters, notably Ryan Gosling’s Ken, has been a point of contention. Critics have accused the film of unfairly stereotyping men as one-dimensional figures of misogyny.
Baumbach, in response to the criticism, expressed his belief that men could handle the film’s humor, saying, “I mean, come on!” Gerwig echoed this sentiment, emphasizing their love for the character of Ken and stating that the film takes his position seriously, despite the controversial humor.
Hollywood Reacts: Support and Criticism Collide
The backlash against ‘Barbie‘ has not gone unnoticed in Hollywood. Figures like Marc Maron have voiced their support for the film, calling it a “masterpiece” and praising its comedy about men. Whoopi Goldberg, addressing the conservative backlash on “The View,” emphasized that ‘Barbie’ is just a movie about a doll, expressing shock at the level of outrage it has generated. She challenged critics, asking them to explain to their daughters why they would not take them to see the ‘Barbie’ movie.
In conclusion, the ‘Barbie‘ film, while aiming to deliver a feminist message with humor and emotion, has sparked a significant debate over its treatment of male characters and patriarchy jokes. As the film navigates this controversy, it highlights the ongoing conversation about gender representation in media and the diverse reactions it can evoke.
