Barbie - How Ryan Gosling Perfected Ken

[@BbGun-lw5vi]

This video is necessary for those who don’t understand why he was nominated for Best Supporting actor. Great breakdown of his performance!

[@l_dalchemist9252]

Exactly!!

[@FeuerNite]

I think people know why he was nominated, they don’t understand why the director and the lead actress were not.

[@BbGun-lw5vi]

@@FeuerNite Yes. True. I should’ve said that this video shows that Ryan deserved to be nominated even with very stiff competition. While Margot and Greta were not standouts in their categories.

[@MrBigblack62]

​@@FeuerNiteI feel the 8 nominations they did receive should more than cover his one

[@lullaby218]

@@FeuerNite I grew up watching the animated Barbie movies. Barbie is supposed to be kind and brave. Margot Robbie was kinda off-putting to watch.

[@Andrew-vz3qk]

Ken is the star of the movie because he is extremely relatable and human. barbie is a perfect robot who is discovering humanity: none of the audience members are perfect robots learning to be imperfect, we are all Kens trying to find intrinsic value in ourselves and self respect.

[@mrs_mothra547]

Yes

[@angeladibble]

We're all Kens. Love that!

[@bgranger_842]

Both of them are charming for very different reasons. Barbie's journey is quite relatable as well for girls. The moment they realise they can't win no matter what they do (America Ferrera's monologue) is a very eye-opening experience every girl has had.

[@AishiPlays]

You missed the whole point of the movie

[@bgranger_842]

@@userfuckyou1 wtf are you on?

[@PuddilyOops]

Ken’s the underdog. Everyone loves an underdog.

[@alejandromolinac]

And he’s got abs and pecs…. And biceps….

[@lefantomer]

I finally understand the obsession with horses! Now can someone explain the fur coat? Seriously --- nah, why spoil it? -- next time I watch it I'll pay more attention to Ken.

[@Muhammad-HarDick]

and his struggle is more relatable than barbie's struggle

[@colinchampollion4420]

And he is sexy- handsome of the male species ~ alot more interesting and exciting than that boring Barbie😂🎉!​@@alejandromolinac

[@mariaphillips2664]

Thank you for doing this cos i see a lot of people dismissing his Oscar nomination because it's a comedic performance not knowing how hard it is to do

[@800Ms-k6n]

People seemed to forgot that Robert Downey Jr, Maria Bakalova, and Melissa McCarthy were Oscar nominated for comedic performances too. Robert for Tropic Thunder, Maria for Borat 2 and Melissa for Bridesmaids, three of the funniest performances that deserved to be nominated. If they can be nominated for their comedic roles, so can Gosling as Ken

[@ElvisRose_]

Comedy is harder than people realize and to be purposefully funny is quite difficult.

[@NatureFreak1127]

He was the star of the movie. And I say it as a feminist. 😀

[@lavinder11]

I didn't think anyone deserved an Oscar for that movie, but out of all the actors, it makes sense why he would be nominated.

[@goyam2981]

How is his performance different from James Marsden in Enchanted?

[@RyanM268]

I’m happy that Ryan Gosling received an Oscars nomination! He delivered a brilliant grade-A comedic performance. Comedic acting isn’t that easy. His delivery, timing, body language, and facial expression were great, subtle, smooth, and hilarious. He didn’t even try hard. He is mostly likely going to perform live at the Oscars too for I’m Just Ken lol. I’ll be watching.

[@RyanM268]

@K.C-2049 For me personally, i think drama is harder lol. It’s subjective. Both are difficult in their own way, of course. If Barbie was a comedy series then Ryan would easily win an Emmy in the comedy category!

[@Freedomlives33]

Johnny Depp also is great at comedy. Even as far back as 21 jump street 👍🏾

[@CinqueTerre558]

I’ll be with doing same during Oscar night. Hope he does it. Can’t get Kenough of his Kenergy. I say “Kenough” & “Kenergy”. must be declared as new real words & added to all dictionaries!

[@CinqueTerre558]

Hoping he wins an Oscar for just being Ken.🤞🏼❤️🤞🏼❤️🤞🏼

[@PCB389]

I'm happy that they recognize him I'm sad that is was by Hollywood's Oscars, full of friends of Epstein :/

[@lizzfrmhon]

When he put glasses on top of glasses I hollered 😂

[@Robin838]

I liked that, and just seeing him in boxing gloves was hilarious.

[@Jokoko2828]

When you need nightmare goggles for your nightmare goggles.

[@MickdeRaad]

Same, I have not seen the movie yet and that one made me laugh out loud

[@srp4551]

I know, right!?! He's brilliant.

[@kevinkanter2537]

yep - a Gosling ad-lib

[@GustavGanz-fc3ij]

Ryan Gosling playing insecure & awkward... half of the internet: "he's literally me" 😂 (and this time it is true)

[@jaded9234]

If you think about it, it's ALWAYS true, just not for everyone.

[@theboogeyman2590]

@@jaded9234its also people seeing aspects of themselves in a character of his (the hes literally me thing is just a meme at this point), and surprised to see it portrayed in a way that feels like those parts hit close to home, even if the character is a robot policeman assassin.

[@Pippinmog]

It proves that a character doesn't have to LOOK like you in order to be relatable. Just by tapping into that more human side of ourselves.

[@CinqueTerre558]

@@PippinmogVery intelligently stated comment.

[@Stewnat7299]

I think some of you guys should consult a dictionary and look up the word literally :p if no one else shares his name, there is literally but one Ryan Gosling

[@91Caesar]

I think it's also worth highlighting the brilliance of the marketing tag line "he's just Ken". It really sets up the later "Kenough" line later so well

[@tammyd.970]

Nutshell summary: Gosling is a genius and people are finally noticing. He's an excellent physical actor and funny as hell. Sidenote: He should win for his performance, but a special mention should go to his fantastic abs!! I mean, he *became* Ken. Serious props, and thanks for that, Ryan. Thank you.... 😉

[@sic996]

You're welcome (I'm literally Ryan Gosling)

[@Weekndwook92]

“When the two threaten to beach each other off, they come” Absolutely lost it

[@ximar0ckstrx]

😂😂😂😂💀

[@penguinZ85]

I lost it too. Just when I thought it couldn’t get funnier, it did.

[@CaulkMongler]

IMO Barbie starts off as perfect and learns how to accept being imperfect, thus being human. Most humans by default understand that they’re flawed, they’re usually trying to cover it up. Ken’s character starts off as someone who clearly WANTS to be acknowledged by the person he sees as perfect, but is always stuck looking awkward or doing all the wrong things, at one point even doubling down and tossing the baby out with the bath water to try and deal with his insecurities - guess who’s more relatable to general audiences, male and female?

[@youknowsahara]

exactly

[@veronicaarghyrou6042]

Barbie is more like a feminist movie, ew😅

[@greyghost2492]

@@veronicaarghyrou6042 Barbie is a conservative movie

[@ragingnoob3603]

@@greyghost2492 in no way is barbie a conservative movie.

[@hope-cat4894]

Another problem is Ken is already awkward from the beginning, but Barbie's imperfection start from an outside source. If the mother never played with her, Barbie would have been okay while Ken would still be struggling. Barbie feeling like she's falling from grace isn't really focused on like Ken's floundering which is why Ken got more attention from the audience. If the movie had showed the other Barbies slowly distancing from her more, that could have helped. We only get glimpses compared to Ken's experiences.

[@RyanGoslingmefr2049]

Thanks for telling me I did good as Ken it means a lot (I’m literally Ryan Gosling)

[@jacobp8294]

Literally me

[@SpicyTexan64]

I'm totally Ryan Gosling.

[@SofaKingShit]

OMG I'm like totally Ryan Gosling too! You might know me from that thing l did with that stuff in a place somewhere at a particular time for at a somewhat other thing.

[@douglasdoyle8944]

I’m Spartacus

[@silverbengal1853]

Why didn’t you want to pay for your fifteen Milky Way bars?

[@Herodotusjones]

Happy to see The Nice Guys getting more praise over time! His performance in that movie turned me around on him as well. Great breakdown as usual!

[@thereccher8746]

That movie suffered from horrible advertising. I had to watch it twice because my expectation of the tone was completely off.

[@Divinefapper]

I never heard about Nice Guys. I needed to find a comedy movie to watch with my girlfriend, and gave it a shot expecting a bad movie. To my surprise, it was one of the best comedy movies I've ever seen. Now I love Ryan Gosling.

[@StoneStraiff]

​@Divinefapper definitely not the best comedies, but to each their own 😂

[@Divinefapper]

@@StoneStraiff What's better? I didn't say it's the BEST, but definitely up there with other great ones. Most comedy movies are absolute shite.

[@BbGun-lw5vi]

@@StoneStraiffNice Guys is most definitely one of the best comedies.

[@sweetcaroline942]

There was a reason Gretta and Marggot as produces were so persistent on getting him to accept the role of Ken. A perfect performance in every way

[@lizxu322]

Hated this movie. Stupid tropes 10 years too late. Completely forgot to do on trend topics like lgbtqi+ representation, autism, etc. Imagine if bisexual barbie or gay ken toys actually came out alongside the movie it would be wonderful. But nup we get a stupid movie about false over the top female empowerment that bordered on taking men down. Why were they so mean to the dad learning duolingo? He literally did nothing wrong, they were unsupported of him yet expected unquestioned support from men in their endeavours. Gosling was the best and most interesting character for sure. The others were simply plastic

[@IAMFANTROLL]

​@@lizxu322the political tropes of ten years ago are still necessary and relevant. remember that figures lole Andrew Tate are culturally relevant, despite feeling like artefacts of the deeply shitty fight club shock jock era of our culture. the commentary made by these films is expressly targeted at young insecure men who should hopefully see Ken's behavior and both learn from his mistakes and take from some of his shameless flamboyance to become sillier, less self serious people more capable of human connection.

[@lizxu322]

@IAMFANTROLL I'm sorry, I meant 30 years ago. Lgbtqi is actually 10 years ago and disabilities plus neurodivergency is more current. They literally didn't touch anything that is remotely relative today. I don't know if you've stepped out into society but tides are changing and men are becoming more in touch with their emotions and are far less toxic than one might think even with Andrew Tate and Ben Shapiro out there spewing skunk. I'd label this glitter pink movie as toxic feminist propaganda. They didn't even get 'fascism' correctly. It's a sub par movie attached to strong names and I'm not surprised neither margot Robbie or the director got a nod. I related the most with Ryan gosling despite having a vagina. Everything else was lazy writing and the barbie character was literally a Mary sue. You do know what a Mary sue means, right?

[@mrbigglezworth42]

@@IAMFANTROLL What mistakes? Ken was at the bottom of the social hierarchy with no chance at even being seen as equal from the word go. If anything, what he did was morally justified not just for himself but for every other Ken in Barbieland who lived in the same state of abuse and dismissiveness that the Barbies threw at them. Remember, the thing that caused him to want to bring back patriarchy to Barbieland was the first time someone actually gave him a modicum of respect, even if it was the most basic kind in just asking for the time. Every Barbie was the villain, and Ken was the hero freeing the oppressed masses.

[@IAMFANTROLL]

@@mrbigglezworth42 his solution wasn't to dismantle the system of oppression, but to reorient it in his favor. That was his crucial mistake.

[@archsteel7]

Hear me out, I think Ken is also more relatable because of the fact that, in a movie that wants to largely be about the societal imbalances between men and women, Ken is societally the "woman" of Barbie-Land. Barbie-Land is very much just "Patriarchy but what if it was women at the top instead of men" with the Kens acting as eye-candy and disposable accessories to the Barbies in the way that women are unfairly treated in our world. So, ironically, Ken feels more relatable than the Barbies as he's the one who's actually experienced gender-based oppression. Which is part of why the ending of the movie feels so offputting, because it's showing the individuals at the top of the hierarchy reasserting their control by pitting everyone at the bottom of the hierarchy against each other so that they can essentially subvert democracy by minimizing the Kens votes. It shows this as a "good thing" rather than the horrifying reality of how the disenfranchised are made to fight each other by the powerful so that they never realize they have enough power to shrug off their oppressors.

[@_yacko_]

Yes, I feel the same way. Also, I see a lot of people that haven't understood the movie and think Barbieland was perfect until the Ken-Patriarchy appeared (and it's VERY funny, because they are usually the same people that talk all the time about the real world patriarchy)

[@04beni04]

Part of the reason RG's portrayal of Ken is so important is that in less capable hands, it'd be a horror show. Scene after scene, I was sitting there thinking of other movies (or news stories) where that was the point some guy went off the rails and became the stalker/user/bad-guy-perpetuating-the-cycle/etc. The balance of acknowledging negative emotions but not losing the humanity of a character was incredibly crucial to making this work.

[@BonniciAlexia]

Ryan has a very self-depreciating understated sense of humor in real life, and not over-the-top like the usual comedians. That's what makes his delivery so subtle. He's the best guest on the Graham Norton Show

[@danmiller4601]

Gosling’s SNL performance in ‘Papyrus’ is legendary comedy. Highly recommended.

[@alexandrebeaudry1038]

and the other performance where he can't stop laughing 😅

[@wahn10]

Best SNL skit ever in my opinion. Pure genius. 🤣

[@sofiazanabria2391]

Ya gotta see Bad Santa

[@jenncece5858]

My son and I are very into fonts and LOOOVE that skit!!! Every once in a while, one of us yells out PAPYRUS!!!!

[@kellymcphaul2793]

I think about it way too often lol

[@amberjulia123]

Watching the movie in theaters, it felt (and still feels like), Ken was the *actual* main character of the film. He was the most proactive, had the biggest arc, and I was rooting so hard for him throughout the movie. His (relatable) pain is the FIRST we see, in a moment during the film in which everyone is happy - his initial beach scene and then the dance scene. His story had the most depth and the most layers and the most suffering. Unlike Barbie who was mostly just a passive damsel in distress that gains an “out” from her chaotic situation in the end (exiting Barbieland). Ken has to remain in his world AND figure out a way to make it work for him - to adapt, to change, to confront his pain and his desires, to endure, and to have important realizations in the end.

[@da96103]

Ken is the Jack and Karen of Will and Grace.

[@BbGun-lw5vi]

This is exactly why Ken is the heart of Barbie. I felt Ken’s pain from the beginning. Whereas there was no reason for Margot’s existential pain (except for the whole Gloria explanation). And when Ken cries at the end of the movie, confessing all his hurt, I felt deeply for him. Ryan made me care about an empty headed doll. He was the only character that mattered to me in Barbie.

[@BbGun-lw5vi]

@@da96103Very true.

[@jclyntoledo]

​@@BbGun-lw5viThis! I was so lost as to how ppl cared more about Barbie and America's speech since it felt like someone telling me the obvious that I already knew. Whereas I saw Ken and felt his pain instantly.

[@matoulagiannareli4848]

That's the core concept of the storytelling in my opinion, the role mirroring of male and female "operation" between the real world of patriarchy and a fairytale Barbieland - world. In the latter case, males are somehow guests that don't exactly fit in because everything around them has been designed by and for females. Kens exist only in order to emphasise that it's a women's world, which of course is extremely awkward for men. Gosling delivers perfectly the feeling, so that we all get the transverse image of how women must have been operating for centuries in the actual world around us, having to accept rules written in stone, on which they have never had a say. Just smile politely, and accept your fate like a good girl.

[@PeterGargan]

You pretty much nailed why I loved Ryan's performance better than I could have put it in words, just the subtle body language and quirks really help make his Ken feel like a multi-layered character that we can root for.

[@theorderofthebees7308]

Ryan Gosling is going to get an Oscar for this portray; - why because he’s Kenough ❤

[@kyellverdonschot9922]

Thanks for the kind words. Really appreciate it! (Ryan Gosling is literally me)

[@josh_richards]

Every single second beach ken was on screen was funny, like gosling delivered an all time comedy performance for exactly what you were pointing out and it was his body language. His delivery and tone is great of course but a grown man playing with the bus stop like it’s a jungle gym is ridiculous. I hope he wins best supporting actor (he won’t but a man can dream)

[@edwiinandresmosqueramarulanda]

:)

[@valeriacarrasco6788]

Well I have news for you

[@conormurnane6457]

I love the high-concept, Rod Serling-style tragedy of Ken: a man created for the purpose of being in love with a woman who wasn't created to love him back. I see a lot of comments saying Barbie was too dismissive of him, and she absolutely was, but it's hard to entirely blame her, the humans in the real world created her for the sole purpose of being independent and inspiring little girls, it simply wasn't in her nature to do anything else. Even worse, despite calling him superfluous, she hangs around with Ken all the time and still refers to her and him as a duo, "Barbie and Ken", which only torments him even more. Again, this is awful, but Barbie isn't in control of this either, that's Mattel marketing them as a couple in the real world. It's created this impossible paradox of a relationship that's both unavoidable but also can't really happen and, until the end, Barbie has literally has no way of realising how harmful this is. I understand that this does make Barbie seem unsympathetic, but she does end up being humbled by the whole real world/Ken uprising experience. While all the other Barbies are celebrating getting control back, she looks sort of distant, like she's seeing the bigger picture of how uneven her world still is. She realizes how disrepectfully she had treated Ken and actually ends up listening to him and offering him genuine remorse and help in the end. And, yes, Barbieland goes back to being a matriarchy, Ken still isn't on equal footing with the Barbies and it's unfair. But now the Kens have a sense of self-worth, the Barbies are slowly but surely learning to show appreciation for them, and Ken stays there because now he knows he has the strength to find his place there eventually, just like how Barbie joins the patriarchal human world. They would both rather find their way in a unfair world, face real adversity and get through it by just being themselves, than have everything handed to them in a one-sided "perfect" world. Barbies and Kens overall aren't on the same page yet, but at least two of them are, and that's a good start. EDIT: Forgot to mention this, but while I think the reaction to Margot's snub is overblown (no offense to her, she was great, just not Best Actress great IMO), Greta Gerwig most definitely was snubbed for directing the movie. Ryan Gosling did such a great job because Greta had a clear idea of who Ken was as a character, knew that Gosling would be the only person to portray him properly and even trusted him to add his own touches and make the material even better. A great example of an actor and director totally understanding each other and being in-sync throughout the process, combining their skills to get the best possible result.

[@nothing4mepls973]

Thank you for properly crediting the musicians in your video description. Not enough people do that, and I really appreciate it.

[@JustanObservation]

Thank you for noticing. It helps viewers discover the music and me if I forget what music I used

[@Freedomlives33]

Yes....Without the musical scores all movies are bland. They deserve so much credit.

[@lexmas4373]

​@JustanObservation I enjoy your videos. I think you should do one for Brad Pitt's Performance in Once Upon A Time In Hollywood.

[@tushar2729]

After watching this video, my heart spoke to me. It tried to say something to me. I came to the burning realization that I’m... literally him

[@jennifercaballero4659]

Ryan Gosling in the Nice Guys was what made me fall in love with him as an actor. His acting range is impeccable, he can literally do anything. When people thought he was going to be a horrible Ken, I was upset because I genuinely knew that he would be amazing just from how great he was in past comedies. I’m glad everyone ate their words. 😂

[@t221000]

Everything you said here is exactly why comedic acting 🎭 is far more difficult 😞 than people think 🤔. He has shown amazing comedic skills since Crazy 😜 stupid love.

[@gaylemuir1634]

This was an excellent analysis of Gosling’s performance as Ken. It could be used as an example of a great comedic performance for actors taking acting lessons. Gosling’s acting instincts are amazing. His expressions are often subtle but they come across well and relatable, easily pulling the audience into his emotional experience.

[@evaclaireart]

I love the Ken character. To me, a Ken in the matriarchy is sometimes how women appear/end up behaving in a patriarchy. I think this is why his character and the way its played resonated and was appreciated in a film about Barbie/strong female characters.

[@ginniesoh]

It is his performance in Ken that made me watch every movie in his filmography after Barbie! Ryan Gosling is best performer of his generation.

[@MsAccidentallyhere]

Thank you! The this uproar about Margot not getting an Oscar nod is ridiculous. Gosling's acting was out of this world.

[@vickibarnes9609]

I SO agree with your analysis! After seeing Ryan Gosling as Ken, something in his performance resonated with me that made me want to go back to see all his previous movies. I found his performances amazingly subtle and nuanced, making me wonder why he hasn’t won more awards. He is such a gifted actor!

[@melissaisloud7404]

Those of us who remember Ryan’s YOUNG HERCULES days know what a physical comedic actor he can be. Love him.

[@HorseJoint]

Bro. Ryan Gosling man. HE IS. Him. I fucking Knew this movie was gonna be a BIG thing man. This Film was just a Perfect Mix of a lot of things.

[@Pheebs77]

Gosling is the Harrison Ford of a new generation - Harrison can convey a whole sentence with just one glance or twitch of a facial muscle, and Gosling is the same......

[@stellviahohenheim]

Harrison Ford is overrated

[@yasininn76]

Harrison basically just points at everyone and calls it a day, cmon

[@markblair5380]

This was a great breakdown of his performance. The acting and writing combined to create by far the best part of the film.

[@Jessica_Jones]

I was so amused by Gosling and he was such a breath of fresh air throughout that I didn't even get the chance to fully appreciate these nuanced movements -- that startled reaction of covering his books is especially hilarious 😆 This was an awesome breakdown. It's always incredible to really observe the details of a fabulous performance, and comedy is truly so underrated I could listen for hours!

[@ninavaughn2274]

Ryan did a lot of improvisation. He really added to the dialogue.

[@wiskey2000]

Ryan was doing comedy when he was younger with "Breaker High" and "Young Hercules", so I was really happy to see him start doing comedies again. He's so good at it. I'm hoping for a "The Nice Guys" sequel.

[@beshyong1101]

Yessss. He literally makes Ken character alive

[@ashleybrown6669]

Love your channel. This is exactly why Ryan's performace stood out and not Margot's. He was written differently and given more of an opportunity to shine. I've seen most of the performances for best actress and Margot was not snubbed she was simply out acted.

[@actualkarenokboomer3158]

Also, Ken, as a doll was always an accessory or after-thought like arm candy.

[@entropyme9]

I was watching Blue Valentine the other day and thought to myself: this role doesn't work if it's not Ryan Gosling playing it, but quickly realized that this applies to most of the characters he portrayed.

[@aleciahansen7859]

I went into this movie thinking the movie would be more tongue in cheek and fun with an underlying message that was deep and instead I (personally) got messaging shoved down my throat, watched the Barbies be unkind to the Kens, a convoluted plot line and overall movie that I left feeling flat about. Except for Ryan Gosling’s performance. It was a bright spot in the film.

[@tt-xf2nr]

same

[@jneilson7568]

Yep. Preferred Ken by a mile, the Barbie's were boring and earned nothing.

[@ElvisRose_]

That is exactly how I felt about the movie. If I was supposed to side with Barbie over Ken, then this was not achieved well by casting Ryan Gosling as Ken but also, how Barbie treated him. The movie is named after Barbie but I was on Team Ken.

[@ximar0ckstrx]

Thank you! Everyone keeps telling me it speaks against the "patriarchy". But I spent a lot of time seeing the Barbies mistreat and outright abuse the Ken's. What the movie showed me, was that both patriarchal and matriarchal based societies are flawed and only when we all work together can balance be reached. Neither extreme is good or okay. Idk where people see it as a pro-matriachial movie. It didn't come off that way to me.

[@lavinder11]

I didn't care for the movie, but this was done on purpose. Barbieland was supposed to be a reflection of how women have felt marginalized in the "real world." They used the Kens to get the message across since apparently, people feel more sympathetic when men are treated poorly.

[@flowerfaeri]

Thanks for this! I appreciate Gosling's performance even more now, and feel like he truly deserved the Oscar nomination. Funny though, the more sympathetic Ken appears, the less sympathetic Barbie appears. I don't think Robbie deserved a nomination - she's pretty vapid throughout, even when she goes to the real world. It's difficult for an actor to remain sympathetic when he turns into a bully, but Gosling nailed it... and he can sing and dance!

[@BbGun-lw5vi]

I like Margot but I agree that she did not deserve a nomination. I don’t know why people are complaining. But Ryan definitely deserved his nom.

[@montoys1]

I think Ken was much better in conveying his fragility. personally i felt America ferrara more compelling.

[@snikpoh3894]

Ryan, you ooze talent. You knocked it out of the park with Ken. Thank you for repeatedly entertaining us. Keep being you!!!

[@joerendar]

I mean.. I recall Ryan being on that 90s show Breaker High. He was always one of the funnier characters on the show. So it's not as if comedy is something new to him. It's great to see him get to exercise his acting chops in a wider variety of roles as opposed to being type cast from the notebook.

[@vesperooak]

Yes! Thank you! I remember being completely baffled when Gosling became a serious leading man after The Notebook. Like, "that goofy loser from Breaker High? Alright..." He's always had good comedic chops, and he's only honed them over time. It's really nice to see him getting a chance to put those skills to use after being typecast for the last two decades.

[@Atalanta01]

Yes, precisely! Only true Gosling fans know this.

[@camil3545]

I was looking through the comments to see if anyone else remembered this show. Ryan killed it for what, on the surface, was just a comedy relief spot on a gimmicky high-school show that happened to take place on a boat.

[@joerendar]

@@Atalanta01 lol blame my boredom as a high school student seeing a few episodes and thinking these two goofy actors are the best part of this show.

[@lindasmith320]

This is a wonderful analysis of Ryan’s sublime performance of Ken, it really did make the movie

[@dr.braxygilkeycruises1460]

I don't know why this video was recommended to me, but I'm glad I saw it! This was excellent!!! And, I appreciate it because there have been several people complaining about Gretta and Margo not getting Oscar nods, while Ryan Gosling did. Your video perfectly speaks to WHY he was nominated. He really did turn in a nuanced, perfect performance. Margo was also great, but her role didn't require her to be much more than who she is as a person. Anyhoo, thanks for this video. It is excellent!!

[@michaelcain9324]

Thank you. This was a very informative, observant-as-heck video essay. Kudos on how your voice echos back to news reels from way back. Kind of like a commercial from the 40’s or 50’s. Perfect for a Ken/Barbie review.

[@admirallily]

No matter how many times I see evidence of his incredible success, I’ll always remember him from Breaker High.

[@windws7137]

Bro put actual film names in every short scene, THANK YOU

[@oakwoodvondeath2309]

Thank you for making a video on such an interesting topic and doing it justice. KZbin video essays are so often the promise of intriguing analysis that proceed to be the most obvious and uninteresting takes ever heard. I think you’re spot on about boyish insecurity, and your observations of Goslings eye movements is so true!

[@1Gr8Editrix]

Ken seemed intriguing -- something dangerous underneath the surface. Some critics commented on a "predatory" quality -- both attractive and repellant. Partly because of his good looks, you'd want to approach him, yet at the same time need to keep away. Maybe because he knows he's good-looking, he can safely laugh at himself and the character he is playing.

[@04beni04]

I honestly think that part of the reason people laughed at/with him was sheer relief -- we're so used to such scenes kicking off a horror sequence with stalking/manipulation/worse. Instead we got to get to the edge with him, acknowledge the glimmer of dark emotion, and then come back from it with the added benefit of snappy dialogue and amusing visuals.

[@veronicab15]

Predatory? He's literally the butt of the jokes in the movie. What sort of feminist bs is that. Lol

[@04beni04]

@@veronicab15 If you can't see it, I'm honestly a little envious for that bubble you're living in. I'd never begrudge someone their sense of safety, but someday you might look back at this conversation differently.

[@m1ye492]

​@@04beni04 how do you feel about low income black neighborhoods? would you walk through one?

[@04beni04]

@@m1ye492 We don't have "black neighbourhoods" where I am, but I walk through, park in, and work in a high crime, high drug use, highly ethnic diverse area 5-6 days a week. Not sure how that's relevant, though.

[@lisastanhope2403]

This was super to listen to. I’m a costumer. I listen to lots of this kind of observational commentary. This was one of the best. I thought I was the only one that lived the nuances of Ken. Now I can see even more. Brilliant. I hope Ryan Gosling sees this. I’d love to hear his views.

[@cynthiana8328]

My God, you've actually made me admire Ryan Gosling's acting ability.

[@crimtan]

It’s crazy how talented he is

[@michaelmcinerney1425]

Really enjoyable vid. Hilarious analysis of the subtle body language. Great work

[@jujubee2141]

I love how the stars sitting near him couldn’t keep their laughter in. He was perfect as Just Ken. Poor Ken 😢

[@QNFirefly]

I watched the Barbie and of course I love$ Ryan Gosling portrayal of Ken his childlike innocence was so spot on and lovable.

[@jeffbassin630]

I strongly believe that Ryan Gosling deserves the Oscar. Many think that Robert Downer Jr. should win. I don't entirely disagree, but the uniqueness of Ryan's touching and comedic performance is something very special!

[@winnskeen6303]

Your 3 reasons why he’s so likable is really great and so true. A great way to easily sum up his performance and just how great it was

[@fennelwink]

It's been a while, but I had to come back and watch this video again because I appreciate your analysis so much. Spot on.

[@joshuamartinez7251]

That scene where he was doing the manly cry, dudeee i was in tears, he made the movie bearable imo

[@Jessica_Jones]

"I'm a liberated man I know crying's not weak" 😂

[@dragonkingwishes99]

i love ken. he is a hero who i never know i needed

[@Lillonnie998]

Perhaps the best comedic performance of this generation

[@seanalexandersimpson]

Ryan has his acting roots in comedy. One of his earliest mainstream roles was as a teenager going to high school on a cruise ship. His character, Sean, along with best friend Jimmy were the bumbling, dorky comic reliefs against the typical teenage melodrama (except it’s on a boat!) that one would expect from a YA tv show.

[@Lokidooki]

Goslings break out role was being 1/2 of the comedy relief duo on breaker high in the canadian teen sitcom "Breaker High"

[@theantone7476]

The movie was a masterpiece and biggest surprise of 2023. Its deep and very thought provoking

[@marniekilbourne608]

Yes! You explained why his performance is so great perfectly. I loved every second Ken was on the screen. I know I was supposed to be rooting for Barbie but I found myself rooting for Ken. Ken had it much harder in Barbie Land than Barbie did, so of course he was amazed by the real world. I know that this is supposed to be how women feel in the real world vs. Barbie Land. I got ALL of the feminist messaging. It just fell flat for me because instead of realizing at the end that neither the matriarchy or the patriarchy made Barbie Land a good place so equality was the answer, they just restored the matriarchy. I'm all for men and women being equal. I wasn't thinking yes Barbies you take back your autocratic rule! Both Ken and Barbie realized things about themselves but Barbie was the only one who seemed happy at the end. If they had made Barbie Land equal Ken would have been happy because he didn't really like the patriarchy and didn't want it to return to a matriarchy. Both Barbie and Ken had journeys but the movie really seems to want you to side with Barbie and ignore Ken's journey. Idk but the full on feminists kicked me out of the club awhile ago lol. Note: When I was a kid, my Ken's had their own house and a car or they lived in the dream houses with their Barbies. They were never jobless, homeless or pointless. So, I imagine that effected my view of the movie.

[@ploshoploshm1582]

The fact that Barbie left Barbieland to be a real person is the film rejecting both ideas matriarchy and patriarchy. Barbie and Ken realize that they dont need these things to define who they are. Neither the real world nor Barbieland are perfect, the fact that Barbieland could easily be turned into a patriarchy and back to a matriarchy kinda shows how silly both concepts are in defining peoples identity, its supposed to show how silly the extremes are.

[@theboogeyman2590]

Exactly this! I kinda hoped Barbieland would remain the dream/idea/unrealistic goal that it was first made to be. Barbie is meant to be perfect, shes an idea created to inspire young girls. Barbieland should follow that narrative, but they just ended up making another Real World which was a little disappointing to me. Barbie leaves Barbieland because all that ‘perfect’ isn’t for her. She leaves to join a more flawed real world, but if Barbieland is just as flawed, there’s no reason for her to want to leave because she can have flaws in barbieland too now. She leaves “idea” snd becomes real, and i think its contradictory for Barbieland to also become more “real” by proxy. Barbieland is still the idea of perfect utopia, so they should have equality. Barbie getting existential was a fluke that was supposed to be fixed, and Barbie’s growth can only be more pronounced if her origins remained the same so we can see the difference between perfect inspirational ideals and a flawed real human. TLDR: turning Barbieland into another Real World takes away from Barbie’s growth.

[@Jessica_Jones]

​@@theboogeyman2590 thank you so much for putting words to how I felt about the end of the movie! I couldn't quite put my finger on it but the OP comment and yours summarize the movie perfectly for me. It's a real shame but it simply fell flat for me and failed to properly bring the story full circle.

[@Lingvort]

In the spirit of Barbenheimer, "How Cillian Murphy Perfected Oppenheimer" next? 😄

[@JustanObservation]

Not next but it’s on the list of potentials

[@Lingvort]

@@JustanObservation Nice one, will definitely be on the lookout for when/if it comes out.

[@moondawwg]

How Jack Black perfected Bowser is next

[@actualkarenokboomer3158]

But there is research, including video of the actual Oppenheimer and there is none for Ken.

[@800Ms-k6n]

@@JustanObservation Put this on the list so you can make a video of it, "How Rosamund Pike perfected Amy Dunne". One of the most iconic villain in the past decade that deserves an observation

[@filmreviewer117]

Glad this got more people to go back and watch Nice Guys.

[@ryanjoseph7970]

I don’t think it would’ve made nearly as much money in the box office if it wasn’t for Ryan

[@stellviahohenheim]

Nah if it didn't came out the same time as Oppenheimer the movie would've tanked

[@chancerystone4086]

@@stellviahohenheim What???? That has zero logic. Seriously, get a brain.

[@thisisnotausernameXD]

​@@chancerystone4086 I think it would have done fine but the whole Barbenheimer phenomenon definitely contributed to it's staggering success

[@modulator7861]

Excellent breakdown of Gosling’s Ken performance! Interesting film. Personally, I wasn’t expecting it to be so deep. When I saw it, it was clear this movie takes on some incredibly complex themes - Matriarchy vs Patriarchy, gender/sexual, mental/emotional themes, etc… But it’s so visually striking and well art directed, there was too much to take in, in just one viewing. I think I’ll have to watch it again, viewing it from Barbie’s/women’s POV, then one more time, from Ken’s POV…

[@ximar0ckstrx]

When people ask how Ryan got an Oscar nomination but Margot didn't, show them this video. I always saw Ken's role as bigger than Barbie's. His arc has more depth, conflict, evolution. Honestly, anyone could've played Barbie. And they proved that by having EVERYONE play Barbie. But there was only one Ken in that movie.

[@lilypond5158]

Weren't they loads of Kens

[@afonsolucas2219]

@@lilypond5158Yeah but you don’t even register them as Ken

[@Nazaba09]

He was what I expected ‘Barbie’ to be about. The actual movie disappointed me.

[@Solkard]

Amusing that the lack of consideration for Ryan’s portrayal of Ken, in the outrage of Robbie’s “snub”, is a somewhat parallel of how Barbie disregards Ken for much of the movie.

[@jennysmith8136]

@@Solkard People understood why Ryan was nominated. The questioning was more about why Margot and Greta were not nominated. That doesn't diminish Ryan's nomination.

[@paulkingMotion]

Great to see you back. This is a great channel

[@theorderofthebees7308]

Isn’t it !!! So good

[@pizzatime8404]

While I initially stuck around because I was loyal to your old channel, I have to admit that your writing and editing has improved ten fold. I’m happy that you’ve found a permanent place in my subscription feed ❤️

[@TheEtherny]

What was his original channel?

[@pizzatime8404]

@@TheEtherny we don’t talk about it

[@preppyqueen_slay]

You did an amazing job at showing us these minute and impeccable details. This is my first of your videos and I look forward to more of the same great work.

[@deletedwaffles]

When I was a kid I use to see Ryan in these roles on kid's TV shows playing these quirky, kinda mischievous and goofy characters and I've always loved those parts for him. Dude has great comedic chops in and off character.

[@ElvisRose_]

Ryan Gosling's performance saved the movie for me. I doubt I would've enjoyed it without him and honestly, when he wasn't on screen... I didn't enjoy it. The movie might be about her but I was on Team Ken.

[@antarcticmonkeys]

When he’s on SNL he’s always a highlight. I feel the same about Adam Driver.

[@thetrison]

Til this day, I still giggle when thinking about Ryan Gosling's whimpers when Russell Crowe dislocated his shoulder in the Nice Guys.

[@DavidEFarner]

Dude, Gosling has it all. He is an amazing actor with pure potential to be great and beloved. He is a superstar in my mind.

[@kpopfan1125]

Conclusion: he did an amazing job and deserves the nomination, well done Ryan.

[@howardron543]

Plz go on the Ryan gosling rampage and do analysis on the place beyond the pines... Bladerunner 2049... And others of his movies plz

[@onaraisedbeach]

Thought the movie was underwhelming in terms of the strength and coherence of its theme, but undeniably Ken's naivety, openness to change, and joy in his sense of self made him a great character and unironically a good role model.

[@laurynharrell8529]

Lol, he TOOK me OUT with that bench move. I was def in the theater like “✨😬✨If you don’t get out of here?!” Like a mom at a grocery store✨🤣✨

[@alexandra-ru3ls]

This is a movie a didn't even bother to watch. But again after watching your analysis i want to see it. I think isbthe 3rd or 4th movie that i will watch after seeing your video analysis. You are doing an amazing job. Thank you for your videos.

[@stratecheese1302]

magnifying the imperfectness is very hard to pull off on the big screen and get appreciated by the crowd at the same time

[@LauraSomeNumber]

Ryan was part of the comic duo on Breaker High in his early career and I seem to remember the character being similar to Ken.

[@FishFeelPain]

Great video--TY. Gosling merely looking at people (ie his interaction with the nurse in The Other Guys) are some of the funniest scenes in recent memory

[@KanetsidohiKanotoush]

Your video helps me to understand why, since the moment Barbie was released, I heard so much about how great Ken was In other videos, even from those which didn't like the movie, they analize other sides of him but they focus on Ken, and not on the actor

[@ksl-diy7243]

Wonderful analysis of Ken’s role in Barbie and how Ryan Gosling embodied the role.

[@jillcnc]

The idea of identifying yourself only through other people's affirmation and definition of you is something that girls and women, especially those of us who in no way resemble Margot Robbie, experience EVERY SINGLE DAY OF OUR LIVES until and unless we have our own "Ken is MEEEEE" moment and decide that we matter even other people (predominantly men) don't think we do. This is the whole point of America Ferriera's monologue, a point you apparently missed. What's brilliant about Ryan Gosling's Ken through the first half of the movie is how he mixes the desperation to please that girls are taught to do from an early age with the kind of "Mine's Bigger" macho posturing that he does with Simu Liu's "alpha Ken" (who is more the way men behave in normal life). Ken's journey ends with him not needing Barbie's affirmation anymore. He thanks her and presumably goes on to live a more integrated life, as do all the Kens -- even Simu Liu's, whose "Ken is Me" moment may very well be an epiphany for him too that he doesn't need to be competitive anymore. I had always avoided Ryan Gosling's movies ever since "The Believer" because honestly, he scared the living daylights out of me in that movie and I never really got over it. He wouldn't have been what I would have at first selected, but he was great here and now I want to go back and watch more of his work. Can we also please note about how Michael Cera's Allan is actually a more integrated and secure version of affirmative masculinity? He's overlooked by all the Kens because he's perceived as being "soft," not participating in the macho posturing of "Beach." But the Barbies include him in their parties even though he's still a bit on the outside, and they include him in their return to matriarchy. And yet...when he perceives that the "real world" women might be in danger, he single-handedly, in a kind of badassery that only buff action heroes usually get to play, beats the crap out of all of them for real, not with the stick horses (heh), nerf balls and purple nurples and noogies that the Kens use in their Epic Battle.

[@starllama2149]

I respectfully disagree with almost everything lol especially about Michael cera. The way I see it, he is the embodiment what girl think they want, but not what they actually want.

[@davidanderson_surrey_bc]

And I *disrespectfully* disagree. Grow up, Jill. The world doesn't revolve around you.

[@yasininn76]

It's been proven times and times again that the ones who comment on other women the most are other women. Stop blaming men for all your probelms.

[@sheilalaffey6]

WOW! Eye opening, brilliant analysis of brilliant acting and writing! Superb choice of clips! Screening this in film class! Thank you!

[@deeobrien5417]

Ah I just love your videos and immediately agree with what you said there at the start. I’m kind of surprised everyone is so shocked he (as well as America ferrrera) got the Oscar nominations but Margot didn’t. When I was watching Barbie I immediately thought how striking his performance was, plus it was clear from America’s monologue she’d do well too, but his performance and just the character of Ken in general really made this movie pop and set it apart. Margot is great as the steady lead and was perfect casting but I’ve seen a lot of her work and she was incredible in something like I, Tonya but after watching Barbie it was a great film and wonderful fun but I never thought she’d be nominated for this, it’s like the Twitter people think this is á popularity competition and about feminism then someone like lily Gladstone made history with a gorgeous performance in killers of the flower moon and they’re ignoring that. It was just very obvious how this would go at the Oscar’s (maybe apart form greta not getting director nominated but it was a very strong year. Like I was a lot more shocked that Denis Villeneuve - or his cast actually - didn’t get a nomination for prisoners a few years ago because that was directed so beautifully, than this instance) It was a great big popcorn flick that did unbelievably well at the box office. I feel this went down exactly like it should have. And I completely think Ryan Gosling did ak incredible job, instant standout. And I’m so glad it’s drawing so many people’s attention to The Nice Guys. One of my favourite movies and he’s just terrific in it, the chemistry between him and Russell Crowe is tremendous. Wonderful video as always

[@flowerfaeri]

Well said! People seem to ignore what I feel is a bigger snub to a better performance from another Greta in Past Lives... Greta Lee! Robbie was good in Barbie but I don't think it was an Oscar worthy role. Gosling's nomination makes sense - he was the heart of Barbie.

[@BbGun-lw5vi]

I completely agree with everything you said. Except America’s nomination. She deserved it even less than Margot. Her performance was forgettable. And even her delivery of her speech was only ok.

[@ximar0ckstrx]

Margot had more emotional range playing Harley Quinn than she did playing Barbie. There were no meat and potatos to her role. No depth. No try conflict or evolution to her character.

[@ximar0ckstrx]

​@BbGun-lw5vi I'm a latino and try to be as pro-latino as possible. But I agree. America did not deserve an Oscar nomination. Her role could've been played anyone. And as a woman, her monologue wasn't the "gotcha" moment people make it seem. If anything other women have made me feel the way she described. NOT men. So to me the entire thing fell Flat.

[@BbGun-lw5vi]

@@ximar0ckstrx I’m a Latina woman too and I’m also supporting of Latinos and a feminist. But I also don’t want Latinos or women to get undeserved wins as I believe the backlash will make things worse. And yes, that speech was weak. I’m surprised because Greta is a smart woman. I expected better.

[@lpeterson2336]

I am certain I saw an interview clip with Ryan where he said, while considering the role, he found his daughter's Ken face down in the backyard and so determined to be his champion. 😂

[@Jakeyisdead]

I was one of the lucky few that saw The Nice Guys in theaters at 13 and since then I've been pissed he doesnt get more comedic roles so his turn in Barbie was exactly what i had been craving for 10 years

[@carolbarraclough8714]

Well done thank you! This is exactly the tribute Ryan Gosling deserves!

[@barbcarroll5265]

well done. thank you. i love ryan's ken.

[@aerialpunk]

Well, he did comedic acting when he was younger too, in Breaker High. You could see even then too that he was just a natural with this stuff!