"It is no surprise then that 'Barbie' feels like an especially potent trojan horse, beckoning us with well-earned laughter into a larger conversation on gender and how Barbie—the defining cultural symbol of high femme expression—has shaped that discourse over the past six decades."

https://charlotteclymer.substack.com/p/greta-gerwigs-barbie-is-brilliant

Greta Gerwig's "Barbie" is Brilliant and Fun

Listen now (8 min) | A review of the the summer's best movie.

Charlotte's Web Thoughts

@charlotteclymer To me, the ONLY way in such a polarized time, to really broadly engage on issues like gender, politics, etc, is comedy.

My all time favorite political movie, btw, is the Marx Brothers' Duck Soup. Second favorite, Dr. Strangelove. Comedy breaks thru defenses.

@charlotteclymer hey I remember her, she's from Twitter!
*looks closer*
Ah, it's just another repost account of a Twitter addict.

Sad.

@charlotteclymer Superb review, Charlotte, can't wait to see this film in spite of my ambivalent relationship with Barbie brand.

First Mattel doll I ever owned was a Charmin' Chatty. When her pull string broke my folks drove us to the Mattel plant where they fixed it for us. I've been disposed toward Mattel since then.

But I wonder if Mattel realizes this film's success comes from embracing both Barbie's dark and light sides given Mattel's still chasing a He-Man film for another blockbuster.

@charlotteclymer Thank you so much for this awesome review! I'm heartened to know the movie actually has substance beyond what seems like a beyond-blatant marketing mechanism. I won't see it in theatres, but I'll be one of the first to see it on digital. This take sounds refreshing and deftly handled, and that's awesome artistry by Gerwig and all her cast and crew. Hearing a high quality review like yours that is so well written is refreshing in itself!! Thanks so much!