If there’s one thing Barbie has never failed to be, it’s versatile. From astronaut to paleontologist, from president to superhero, Barbie has always represented the ability to adapt and change. And now, the world’s most famous doll makes a leap from plastic to person, thanks to the new live-action film directed by Greta Gerwig, and starring Margot Robbie.
However, what makes the film so interesting is not just Barbie’s transition into the real world, but the countless cinematic influences that have inspired Gerwig. Among the titles mentioned by the director, “The Wizard of Oz”, “Singin’ in the Rain”, “Saturday Night Fever”, “2001: A Space Odyssey”, “Wings of Desire”, and even “The Godfather” stand out. There’s no doubt that Barbie is diving into the world of cinema with an eclectic and sophisticated taste.
It was revealed that during the filming, Robbie’s production company, LuckyChap, organized a sort of film festival for the cast and crew, which acted as inspiration for the film. The experience was described as a celebration of cinematic references, with jokes and nods to various masterpieces that will only be revealed through multiple viewings.
Barbie’s journey from the plastic world to the real world seems to be a sort of reverse “The Wizard of Oz”. While the iconic ’30s film saw Dorothy transported to an unknown land, Barbie takes the opposite path, leaving what we consider a paradise to enter the real world.
There’s also a clear reference to “The Truman Show”, with Barbieland imitating the artificiality of protagonist Truman Burbank’s world. Gerwig even discussed with director Peter Weir about how to physically illuminate the sets to capture that sentiment.
Along with these masterpieces, Gerwig also drew from Greek mythology, taking a cue from the myth of Pygmalion, the sculptor who creates a statue representing the perfect woman and then falls in love with her. In this case, the creator Ruth Handler represents Pygmalion, while Barbie represents the perfect woman.
It’s clear that Barbie is a film that feeds off cinematic, mythological, and cultural references.
Greta Gerwig, with her wide range of cinematic, mythological, and cultural references, offers us a journey through popular imagery, presenting us with a Barbie that reflects our aspirations, our dreams, and our ongoing search for identity. Gerwig’s Barbie, portrayed by the brilliant Margot Robbie, shows us that perfection does not lie in being an unattainable figure, but in the courage to discover, change, and embrace the world with all its imperfections.
