barbie would eat girl dinner

[@mauve9266]

I think a great way of interpreting the movie is as a coming of age story. Stereotypical barbie in barbieland as a little girl and then her journeying into the real world being a metaphor for puberty and becoming a woman (link that to her getting a vagina at the end) Then with Ken u can see it as a similar story but him as a younger boy entering adulthood but he’s incorrectly tying his identity to shallow ideals of manhood and female validation. Ken kind of wants to take the easy way out by not having to acquire skills and put in work. Like he wants to be a doctor or a lifeguard but thinks obtaining the signifiers of those things is enough e.g. the clicky pen. At the end he realises that his self worth doesn’t have to come from whether a woman wants to be with him or not and that’s it’s cool if, like barbie, he doesn’t have his life figured out yet. This way it’s another reason Ken is so eager to cosplay adulthood like he wants to have a sort of sexual relationship with barbie but he doesn’t know why like a lot of younger boys (and men) are told sex is important and their ability to have it with a woman is what makes them a man. It’s also a reason that when barbie entered the real world the objectification and misogyny she experiences is so extreme. Like that’s how it FEELS when you’re 13 and ogled at by men sometimes 3,4 times your age Edit: I’ve had more thoughts 😭 way too long Barbie and Ken’s journey is reflected in their style transformation by their clothing choices coming more from within instead of being predicated by external factors alone. Like when you’re younger u have no say in how you’re dressed. Barbie is always dressing for an event, a task. And Ken dresses in relation to Barbie. If it’s Malibu barbie he’s dressing like Malibu Ken. But as the story progresses Ken sees ways of dressing in the real world that accord with him and the version of him he aspires to be (even if this version isn’t truly his ultimate ideal, it seldom is when you’re growing up- you’re experimenting) and barbie’s outfits become less tied to a specific function and more human presumably suggesting she’s becoming more comfortable in herself and doesn’t feel she needs to adorn herself with the signifiers of stereotypical Barbie to have personhood.

[@rahbeeuh]

This comment deserves way more likes! Fantastic interpretation! Coming-of-age themed media has been kinda recurring for me lately so I find it interesting to have come across such a well-written comment

[@FIRXFLY]

That's exactly how I interpreted it as!! It's about growing up and realizing the real world isn't all sunshine and roses i.e. getting out of barbieland

[@rahbeeuh]

@@FIRXFLY like minds I s'pose. Cheers!

[@risooo2274]

oh this is a wonderful interpretation

[@AyannaStewart-t1c]

Unpopular opinion here, I think the "problems" in the movie not being suspenseful was a good thing. In my opinion some of the best movies back in the day didnt just focus on the problem/solution but engulfed you in the world and characters and thats what made them good. it was easy to just watch and enjoy

[@alylopez3721]

This move was a fantasy world colliding with the real world, the real world and all it’s problems like patriarchy. Those problems were used to ground the movie and give Barbie the conflict a story needs, so yeah I do think it needed it needed a better problem/solution developed into the film.

[@Tapiokapuddin]

I understand that take but the barbie movie wasn't even trying to be that. I'm all for movies that are more "vibes" and visuals than anything but this movie created several conflicts and "villains" that fell kinda flat.

[@lowwpmd945]

am i the only one who never felt the need or the pressure to compare myself to barbie?

[@teamo8474]

Same, she was just a toy

[@Il0v3tina]

Same!! Also didnt identify with any "womens" problems

[@Lima_Lima_Lima]

Well, good for you

[@ariadnameza6594]

I always wondered if it was a made up problem, I never saw my friends when I was little complain about it. It seems more of a problem adults project to the toy, I remember wanting dolls growing up and my mom disliked them because they were hyperfeminine and pink, meanwhile I just like shiny dol

[@geckogal1024]

nope. i also never compared myself to barbie or bratz; it was the human celebrities that made me feel a type of way.

[@wagwannigs]

I think barbie is more just fun and iconic rather than an incredibly written masterpiece

[@TaylorThomason]

Yeah it’s still a movie about a doll so idk what people were expecting. I agree, making the movie visually beautiful and fun was likely the main priority which is why every scene was so detailed. Of course, they could’ve discussed controversial topics more. However, given that some people have little to no understanding of patriarchy. I think they did a great job starting the conversation about uncomfortable social issues.

[@LilyGinnyBlack35]

@@TaylorThomason Agreed! Also, I think it is reflective of the fact that Barbie (and Ken) are dolls themselves. They have zero understanding of any of these topics, so of course their experience with these ideas are going to be on a basic, introductory 101 level. So it makes sense narratively. Barbie, the character, is only just starting to dip her toes into these ideas and concepts. I feel Sasha, Gloria, and Ruth are likely aware of more complex and uncomfortable social issues surrounding gender, female empowerment, sexism, feminism, and etc. but Barbie is only just getting started on that journey. So it makes sense that things are still kept at a surface level. The fact that so many men still have issues with this movie despite that, also shows that many men aren't even emotionally or intellectually mature enough to have these basic conversations still just highlights how we still need to continue making stories that focus on the basics before we can have major blockbuster level movies that will gain general acceptance that focus on the more complex layers and levels.

[@waymilky442]

Hardly iconic. If you want iconic watch actual Barbie Movies.

[@wagwannigs]

@@waymilky442 it had a big cultural impact and made liking pink trendy again, at least where I live where girls find everything girly embarrassing

[@PokhrajRoy.]

4:12 I agree: Weird Barbie made sense. An Anti-Establishment Feminist Icon.

[@kant.68]

😂😂😂 anti establishment?! Hahaha, feminism IS the establishment

[@simonedebeauvoir8552]

​@@kant.68yeah, of course. just look at all the female presidents, ceo, billionaires. totally true. smart boi

[@kant.68]

@@simonedebeauvoir8552 All those presidents, CEOs and billionaires are leftist and feminist or are funding feminist organizations all over the world. They don’t give a shit about men. Women have more rights and legal protection than men in the west. Men are constantly demonized , blamed and criticized. You’re ignorant and brain washed by the mainstream narrative. Not your fault .Not very Smart gyal.

[@waymilky442]

I think that's what they meant.

[@waymilky442]

Did you watch the movie? In Barbie world women are all these things.

[@PokhrajRoy.]

I loved the movie. It was the Queer Fever Dream we wanted for a while. The costumes were absolutely iconic and I want all of them.

[@codeytherex5954]

Bara tui sob jaygay kibhabe pouche jas 😭

[@PokhrajRoy.]

@@codeytherex5954 Lmao

[@brianaguilar8283]

🙄

[@PokhrajRoy.]

7:26 ‘Pink’ by Lizzo is a great ‘Main Character Morning Routine’ Song. It’s awesome!

[@mhawang8204]

She was commenting on exactly what was happening on screen, especially when all the things started going wrong, in a quintessential "chick flick" montage theme song kind of way, I knew this movie was gonna be a blast.

[@TheMarslMcFly]

"Margot Robbies arched feet alone will get her an Oscar nomination" how sad I am that this aged very badly :( Also, I know I'm like a solid year late to this, but what TikTok coined as "Girl Dinner", aka some cheese on a slice of bread and maybe some veggies or fruit on the side, has existed in Germany literally forever. We call it "Brotzeit", which literally translates to "Bread Time" lol. Usually it serves as Dinner, but you also can have it for Lunch.

[@sparklyhotdog8826]

I feel like the barbie movie would have worked better as a mini series...they would have had more time to explore the themes and the mother-daughter relationship

[@jjoce14]

Love this review! I really loved the movie and sets but I left the theater feeling a bit confused and wanting more (what you mentioned about the conflicts not feeling as tense/high risk). Def a very fun movie though

[@neptunehenriksen]

Ooooh I really agree on every point. It was rudimentary, but what can we expect? It was still incredibly fun and it's clearly a conversation starter with so many. Incredible video, thank you!

[@sydney9011]

This is such an incredible read on it! Also I adore your voice, its so clear and pretty!

[@amandamaryanna]

Thank you so much!

[@luisamoreno3048]

I had high hopes for this movie, but my favorite part ended up being the Doulingo scene 😂

[@lollove9974]

Oh girl yes, and duolingo slayed in the pink carpet at the premiere

[@saturn6563]

Not even Barbie is safe from Duolingo 😨

[@lvxsophia]

That is just… so sad

[@Wellyafoundme]

I have been waiting to watch rebiews+ vid essays, this so far has been tbe best one! I really like how you questioned how barbiwlans could succum so easily!

[@PokhrajRoy.]

2:38 The Architectural Design Video was awesome. I do hope they retain the sets.

[@Beautyaddixion]

It's so funny how everyday things become trends. I been girl mealing for years.

[@Hippolyta.]

I don't think "girl dinner" itself is a trend but the joke about "girl dinner" is a trend

[@rahbeeuh]

​@@Hippolyta.What's the joke?

[@rtqbhx]

@@rahbeeuh eating low effort garbage and putting a cutesy aesthetic on it

[@rahbeeuh]

@@rtqbhx that's awful. Thanks for sharing that btw

[@waymilky442]

Wow you need a healthy mean asap.

[@anava7030]

I don’t have “struggle meals” anymore. I have “girl dinner” 😊

[@bravobytz1820]

I loved the movie but Barbie Land is far from a utopia. If it was then Ken wouldn't have felt a need to bring in "patriarchy" in the first place. It's like an idealized mirror opposite of the male driven world we live in "today" (or rather the 50's mindset barbie as a brand is still a little stuck in). Patriarchy is presented as bad but so is the "matriarchy" that the barbies use. It's also important that the oppression of the kens (no power, voice, or even the ability to own property) is not actually reinforced by the Barbies but rather by the Male or Patriarchal led Mattel ("Call me Mommy" "We don't worry about Ken... ever") showing that the "perfect" world of barbie is still driven by patriarchal capitalism and that buying into consumerist fantasies don't create real meaningful change in the real world. Also I would argue that Ken is not the true antagonist in the film but rather the box we think we have to put ourselves in to find happiness.

[@elthiaotaria3062]

Loved how you wrote the script. I was literally engaged the whole way

[@heresene]

Since the rise of the hello kitty girl and shows like Rilakkuma and Kaoru, I could tell adult girlhood was on the rise

[@michelleb6935]

My Mom was buying me hello kitty in the late 80s they us to have hello kitty's stores in the malls back then too❤ I use to love that.

[@michelleb6935]

My Mom was buying me hello kitty in the late 80s they us to have hello kitty's stores in the malls back then too❤ I use to love that.

[@kp4508]

Unrelated but I love your twists! You look gorgeous🥰🥰

[@PokhrajRoy.]

SPOILERS: I clapped in the theatre when I saw ‘Depression Barbie’. #IYKYK

[@Blue74]

Same

[@Imallwrite212]

Yes yes yes to all of this! And I was sad the Barbies were okay with not having an equal society with the kens. The reversal, though I understand cathartic for some, left me unsatisfied. Especially with how binary and flimsy the exploration of patriarchy was. And I totally agree about the lack of development with the mom and daughter. I'm glad the monologue rang hollow to you too. It was supposed to feel impactful, but it just felt like a copy paste monologue any woman character could say. It didn't feel specific to the mom.

[@bt2598]

Yes to all of this. The movie was weird because it was both fictional and non-fictional, so I didn’t really know how to take Barbie & the conversation with the creator (if felt a bit out of place). The movie had a call to action and critiques to patriarchy, but no actual legitimate solutions to the problems they points out.

[@Siberius-]

They didn't know any better. The concept of equality in that sense just hadn't been introduced to Barbie Land. They didn't even know where the Kens slept. At the end of the movie, they have now been exposed to the idea of equality, and so when they have all the power, they give power to the Kens, but not quite as much, because that is the idea that they took from the real world. It's intended as a bit of a joke, but it's also the gist of how Barbie land works. Much like Kendomland mostly being about mini-fridges and horses and singing at Barbies for 4 hours straight. It's "patriarchy" through the eyes of Ken from what he picked up on his one journey to the real world.

[@BioBioLove]

Lol. Girl dinner is basically what the vast majority of Germans eat every night. They call it evening bread. I call it the German dinner.

[@blufaerie]

Ariana Greenblatt, Ryan Gosling, and America Ferrera were perfection in this film and I love Margot Robbie as well! I feel like they should sell Mojo Dojo Casa Houses… 😂 I’m glad they kept it light. They tried to touch on concepts but in a very light way.

[@dalekmad96]

Yes, the lack of intersectionality watered the whole movie down. The plot would have worked enough in the masses in the 2010s but I want deeper conversation now, I expect them.

[@marteena81195]

I've just sat down at my table with my girl dinner and chose your video to be the first one I watch while I eat it. I'm living a dream lol

[@FlyToTheRain]

when you started talking about girl dinner i thought for a second i clicked on the wrong video lol rowan ellis just put out a video with girl dinner in the thumbnail

[@Sentientmatter8]

Barbie has only ever eaten girl dinner. My Barbie owned grapes, a hunk of cheese, two wine glasses and a hot dog without the bun. 😆

[@CiaoColeG]

I agree!! Extremely visually satisfying and I enjoyed the performances sooo much!! Very glad I saw it and even shed a few tears when Barbie cried, but the overall story I'd give a C+. I'd definitely watch this movie again while cleaning pausing to watch the delightful moments.

[@alylopez3721]

I do think this move suffers from trying to do so much that certain things fall flat. I loved the movie, while it was based on IP it was nice to see an original movie. But i felt the same way, as much as it was enjoyable I needed more. It’s not like I wanted a serious drama film from Barbie, but it had soooo much potential to be that all encompassing story it was trying to be. With some small tweaks here and there I think it could of achieved that. Like using Barbie as a smoke screen to pull people in but actually the films mainly centers around Gloria and her daughters relationship and having Barbie see what it actually means to be human and to be a woman or feminine in the real world. No ceo scenes cuz they’re pointless and dull, and maybe just one musical number from the kens and more of Allan. And a random gripe I have is the comedic scenes where Barbie and ken do “crime” and even tho they end up in police they don’t really experience anything from that?

[@samfurey7425]

girl dinner sounds like an ED...I hate the term fr but maybe I just don't get it

[@mhawang8204]

It's just a low-effort meal with comfort food. Crackers and cheese can be quite filling.

[@ambo9569]

Girl dinner is basically anything that isn’t a cooked meal that requires too much effort to prepare. We all do it but it’s kinda frowned upon by many, especially because ppl believe that women are supposed to be naturally adept at doing domestic chores

[@Siberius-]

The Kens took over so easily because the Barbies didn't have a "natural defence" against patriarchy, since that is an idea that hadn't existed in Barbie Land before. They're like "yea having a break and getting sang at for 4 hours seems pretty cool". Then later they get snapped out of it once they learn why it might not be such a great idea, they learn feminist critique, and now they have the tools to fight back against the patriarchy, whereas before Barbie Land just didn't have that concept introduced yet. Not that it was the same patriarchy as the real world, it was "patriarchy" through the eyes on Ken... so, mini-fridges and a lot of horses was a big element. The real villain of the story was the patriarchy. I didn't feel that the movie needed more tense high-stake moments... it was more an inner journey of the self, mainly. Movies are obsessed with stressing out the viewer lol. Always like it when they chill out a bit and go a different route. They can't focus TOO much on Allan, because Ken is already almost irrelevant due to his importance being in relation to how close he is to Barbie (in the original Barbie World), so ALLAN, being ken's best friend, is TWO steps out from Barbie, which is super irrelevant lol. They did show that Allan has his own thoughts and feelings and that he is more useful and important than how he is treated, but he still didn't get THAT much attention, because, it's Allan lol. That would have to be in Barbie 2, where they learn some new concepts that would make them aware of and help with Allan's situation, otherwise they're going to be pretty oblivious.

[@theessentialforager6658]

Haven't seen it yet. Just giving engagement because I love your channel. ❤

[@MariaStone-v1c]

Great video! I feel like the Ken takeover is quite realistic - Gloria explains it as the Barbies having “no immunity” to patriarchy as they’ve no awareness of it - also one of the Barbies describes living under the patriarchal rules being like a vacation for her brain.. I think it was meant to be something the Barbies were happy to try because it’s not ideal being the ruling gender either (as many men feel these days!) I think it was meant to heighten the fact that society works for no one when it’s picking a side, power needs to be shared.

[@mediameowz]

Your insights into the film's manipulation of characters and its connection to real-world perceptions are thought-provoking. It adds another layer to the story.

[@stdew07]

🌟 I'm in LOOOOVVVEEE with Amanda's voice. She has such a calming tone 😍❤️

[@BookTalk25]

Amanda you’re amazing!✨And your video essays are always on point too

[@rahbeeuh]

It's interesting Barbie tries to be so much when the doll itself kinda does the same.

[@mimicovers97]

Loved this video. Your perspective is interesting.

[@nifah.97]

omg do people still say “first”

[@edenbercier7511]

first🗣🗣

[@wordswrittenbyme2109]

Barbie world sounds like a dream reality. The movie sounds like an escape. But weird Barbie sounds like a fun time.

[@seatheparade]

Agreed! I loved the movie but definitely felt that it could have explored more. The ending felt a little bit incomplete to me for reasons you said, but the part that saved it was Barbie choosing to become human. Ultimately I think I went into the movie with not much expectations and despite its flaws still enjoyed the ride!

[@ki4n444]

i agree with everything here. i was so confused as to what the movie was even about and felt that the “wokeness” which i agree is not even a valid criticism, kind of ruined the movie. i think there are so many other ways to promote feminism etc without making corny jokes & references to things LMAO

[@wokeaf1242]

Thank you. This was a much needed perspective on the movie. I’m still laughing my butt off that it’s nearing $800 million’ because anything that makes the right-wing look even more like idiots is both the butter on my toast and the honey in my tea.😂😅😂

[@rahbeeuh]

They're foaming at the mouth and losing their "composure" with Barbie. It's delicious.

[@brianaguilar8283]

Didn’t Bud Light go broke because they sponsored Dylan Mulvaney? Their voices matter more than you think, but it’s not just right wingers voicing their complaints. Not that you guys care, anybody slightly right leaning is a neo nazi to you people

[@elisazouza]

girl dinner is also my taylor swift eras tour tickets

[@mariahwisdom-peters6309]

I didn't know what girl dinner was before but seems like I've been doing it for years... it's life! Full transparency, I have a lot of knowledge of nutrition because of previous health issues, you can still girl dinner and have nutritional balance!

[@alwaysgettingthere]

i knew there was a connection between girl dinner and the barbie movie, i just didn't know how to articulate it.

[@Quettasbedhead]

To me the problems related to every day life of marriage serving your husband and losing your once talented / passionate self

[@katherinesinkler156]

Wow 😮I had no idea that eating “girl dinner“ was a thing until now. I’m glad I’m not alone.

[@bt2598]

I think there were critiques about capitalism, while at the same time audiences across the whole have be inundated with Barbie core / Barbie mania advertising. I think they had to overdue the advertising to draw people in. While I get that the movie is supposed to be funny and provide social commentary, there weren’t any real solutions to the problems the movie identified. Also super problematic scenes at the end when Ken kept trying to kiss Barbie. She kept apologizing to him even though he wasn’t respecting her boundaries.

[@Crystalgrace144]

Maybe there will be more sequels

[@wanyekest6969]

hi amanda are you still a lorde fan

[@DFarbklecks]

To me Barbie was a visually pleasing, hot pink fever dream of a story. the threads just did not come together. Barbieland is suddenly Kendom with no rhyme or reason, and the angsty, angry teen is suddenly fine again because girl power I guess? Storyline is very important to me and the story of Barbie was not well done in my opinion.

[@jaylanthompson]

Great video! I really enjoyed the movie and how campy it was, it was a fun watch. Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling killed it IMO. Maybe random but can I ask what camera you use? The quality is so clear lol

[@LionKimbro]

Wait -- I recognize "girl dinner." Because girl dinner is what I, a man, eat every day. And I have a *different* name for it: It's "ADHD dinner." It requires no preparation, whatsoever. It does not HAVE ingredients -- it *IS* ingredients. It is exactly what every ADHD person wants. What you are describing is not woman or man, -- it is ADHD.

[@garettzeek1067]

it wasnt as Woke Really ..... it was Good an it was funny seeing the controversial barbie dolls .... Tanner the Dog was My Favorite lol

[@Wildtingz]

Just had Girl breakfast. Overpriced complicated oat milk matcha latte order and ANXIETY 🎉

[@sagittariusbeauty]

Only liked the aesthetic of the movie, plot was boring

[@jdslipknot]

GURRRRRRLLLLL DINURRRRRRRRRR

[@jbird730]

First off, girl dinner is what's up 😊 for years I've been doing that whenever my kid isn't home for dinner. Love that there's a name for it now. Secondly, nah girl we all knew that their end game was trapped in a box for eternity; a fate worse than death. We watched Barbie realize it.

[@diptik9632]

For me barbie was just a toy i can design clothes for

[@INFJSpanishcoach-gv6jb]

Barbieland is a new lalaland aka delusional utopia for the modern day feminism

[@LyteFlex]

Girl Dinner is cool could be healthier like an Acai Bowl

[@KingCamo90]

👨🏼‍💼👩🏼‍💼👏🏻🤑Repeat after me ladies “Men bad…Woman GOOD, Men bad…Woman GOoooooooOD!!! 🧟‍♀️🧟‍♀️🧟‍♀️🧟‍♀️

[@coramarcu3741]

Excellent review, thank you for sharing! In addition to everything you said, I was also sad to see that the movie didn't end with a new gender equal society, but with a matriarchy. It felt like the Barbies learned nothing from their short encounter with patriarchy, and that all they did was trick the Kens into falling back into their lower-class, lower-status place in the Barbieland society. I fully expect this to fuel the terrible argument that feminism means hating men. Replacing patriarchy with matriarchy is not the goal, so it was a disappointing outcome for me.

[@AnthonysRockinWorld]

So guys can't eat girl dinner

[@jrr4475]

What kind of psycho has never seen the Wizard of Oz?

[@carlpacheco2058]

It’s clearly stated in the movie that the Barbies didn’t put up a fight to Patriarchal ideology because they had never been exposed to anything like it, they only knew the ideal way Barbieland was, and rheir existence was child-like or perfectly naive so they truly couldn’t have known better. Were you not paying attention?

[@aboutface102]

This movie is so obviously a vessel and a Trojan horse for modern feminist propaganda to be spread to young impressionable girls. Women good, men bad. That sums it up.

[@annierenouf2447]

It's really not and you obviously didn't absorb the message. It shows how both men and women are very impressionable to what influences them, and they easily define themselves by status and what gives them security. Ken goes into the real world and after seeing something that makes him feel somewhat good about himself and less like Barbie's inferior, he decides to weaponise in instead of address his insecurities. By the end, he realises he doesn't need to be so image driven and seek validation from what he thinks is manly.

[@annierenouf2447]

It's also hardly a feminist movie, it's very surface level if anything when it comes to it. Which makes sense because it's a doll discovering what it's like to be a woman for the first time.

[@mhawang8204]

Woah, you're projecting a lot, buddy. Everyone came out of the movie loving Kens and Allan. They were awesome. Young girls should know about feminism. It's gonna be a tough world for them. Plus, the movie is saying the patriarchy hurts men, too. Barbie apologized to Ken, even after he brainwashed her friends and tried to take over Barbieland. But sure, "women good, men bad." Believe whatever you want to believe.

[@aboutface102]

@@mhawang8204 That’s not what I believe, it’s what the movie projects. It’s a revenge hit piece, which would be better if it were funny at all.

[@danimack38]

@@aboutface102bro. Are you ok?

[@brotherjoll1802]

Nice ending quote

[@sonalimartinii]

The film gave us permission to be hyperfeminine 🥹🤭💕