<PERSON>
“We mothers stand still so our daughters can look back to see how far they have come.”
<PERSON>
Absolutely not shocked this is the year’s first five star film! <PERSON> is nothing you’re expecting and everything you’re wanting! This film is so much more than a movie about your favorite childhood toy. Why I admire <PERSON> so much is because of how much truth and justice she brings to so many topics in her films. In Barbie, she succeeds in the craft of comedic bliss and expert commentary of allowing change to take itself on, while also tackling themes of renewing yourself, quote-on-quote what the word “perfect” resembles, how a woman can be so easily deserted, and how ambitious and worthless the world can make you feel simply because of who you are or who you aren’t. <PERSON>, who is practically a living <PERSON>, gives a voice to the face and a power to the viewer as she becomes what <PERSON> should be, which is all of us. Whatever you want it to be. Her embodiment flows through her liveliness and fun, her infectious sense of warmth in playing <PERSON> commands scenes after scene. Surrounding <PERSON>, is a phenomenal ensemble with <PERSON> delivering his career best in his quick, lightweight comedic timing and simply being a victim of such on-the-nose casting. I just thought the character of <PERSON> in the film being so self-needing and slightly dumb was so on point because the film was so right in “who tf is <PERSON>?” His line readings were very expertly done for such a broad character, that whenever he was on screen he just elevated everything. He wanted to be playing this role and you could see that. It was genius and perfect! Moving on, <PERSON> as <PERSON>, and that monologue, are the glue to this film and the scene of the year. 378
Her monologue about the struggles and expectations and life of womanhood cements itself as a mesmerizing and powerful piece of writing from <PERSON> and a damn fine piece of acting from <PERSON>. Just the way she approached it and the heavy weight that it holds, being the theme and base of the film, was so moving. The way she delivered it was some of the best work I’ve seen from <PERSON>. Amongst these expert and breathtaking performances, <PERSON> plays <PERSON>, creator of Barbie, in an abstract tender way that holds its weight, specifically in those final five minutes when it’s just her and <PERSON>. That scene was cinematic magic. All this to say and not let go of the beautiful costumes, prduction design, camera work, editing, pretty much every aspect you can think of had so much specific meaning to detail that felt seen and felt worth the hype. <PERSON> has taken film by surprise, truly elevating the cinema-going experience this summer. I can say with 101% certainty that my audience for this was more full then any Marvel movie from the start of the decade because of the cult that formed simply because of human-made hype and press. This film is nothing short of phenomenal, and a story so compelling and a feeling so comforting and shocking. An instant classic. 529