I am Ken-ough + More Truths I Learned From the Barbie Movie

(SPOT.ph) Barbie is an unserious serious movie. Arguably the buzziest movie of the year, for polar-opposite reasons to Oppenheimer buzz, this Greta Gerwig film will take you on a plastic-fantastic ride of self-affirmation. We're sure you've found yourself on the massive hype-marketing train for this gorgeous film, and trust us, it was all part of the experience, culminating in you actually watching the film.

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This self-awareness, seen from the hyped up press tours to the film, is part of it's charm. Once you're finally seated at the theater, it's really more than easy enough to follow the film's actual narrative so long as you're open to believing the ridiculous mishmash of the real world versus Barbieland. This barely lucid transitioning between Barbieland, the movie's "real world," and even our world (where Ryan Gosling has been hilariously Ken-ing it out) is part of what makes the movie even more special.

It is even in the most absurd plot points and cheeky references that we find the realest truths of this movie—even when it is laid down for you in the most straightforward way (read: America Ferrera's *chef's kiss* monologue), the movie manages to serve it with zero preaching factor. Heck, the men (on horses) might even learn a thing or two after watching this, or at least, be willing.

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In Gerwig and team's master hands, Barbie is able to tackle the many contradictions and struggles women (and okay, Kens) live through on the daily, discussing what it means to be human. They know their movie's plot is absurd—a Barbie coming face-to-face with reality, then the second act which we won't spoil—but real life and all our social conventions are already absurd in itself. Mattel's headquarter's are a prime example of this; sure, the movie presents it as a bitingly hilarious caricature of big corpos, but what is a caricature if not an inflated version of reality?

There are many things to be said about the reality we live in—the ridiculous parts and the honest-to-goodness beautiful parts—that Barbie says, and says wonderfully. We list some of them down below, from painful realities to affirmations. Hey, being alive ain't all bad; Barbie chose it, too.

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The biggest #truths from the Barbie movie:

Women must always be grateful

One of many truths from the speech of Gloria (Ferrera), this one hits hard. Count how many times the women around you say "Thank you" or worse, "Sorry", versus the men in everyday instances, and you'll get it. We don't exactly get as much as the rest, so when we're given even just the bare minimum, we have to be extra grateful to "deserve" it—as if space and opportunity isn't already a right by virtue of us just being human. Think of this the next time your girl friend fawns over a guy that gives her next to nothing, then make her watch this movie (or smack her).

Being a woman is balancing out an endless series of contradictions

Gloria lists down the, erm, in the most diplomatic term possible, "intricacies" a modern woman must contend with to be considered a good member of society. From "We must be their mother, but not their actual mother," to "Any power you have must be masked by a giggle," and so many more. It's a fun list to listen to, in a bitter-laughter kind of way.

Having logic and emotion together is possible, and a good thing

This is one of those truths that were straight up fed to us by the movie, as said during a Supreme Court scene in Barbie land. If you've ever wanted to cry while delivering a speech, then this is an important thing to hear. You are no less for your tears. And for the men: here's a reminder that it's okay to feel.

That full range of emotions is what makes you beautiful

There's a scene in the movie, when Barbie finally makes it to the real world, that she sits and simply feels. That dreamy Greta touch can be seen in a montage of people around the park, from a happy couple to a lonely looking man, all the way to the old woman sitting beside her, wisened by age (and all the bullsh*t she's probably had to contend with), simply being "beautiful," as Barbie says.

Even a stereotypical Barbie can break stereotypes

Margot Robbie's character is tall, blonde, and beautiful--everything a typical woman is not, but all that we associate Barbie the doll with. Yet there's nothing plastic about her. Sure, Sasha (Ariana Greenblatt) gives her the harshest reality check, but movie Barbie proves that's not her. And if stereotypical Barbie can break free from stereotypes then so can you. Even Weird Barbie made it through to prove there's more than meets the eye.

I am Ken-ough

IYKYK. What's great about Barbie is that even Ken gets his own ride along to self-discovery. No, he doesn't become Barbie's MPDG—she doesn't need that. But it is true that Ken was made simply to exist in the warmth of Barbie's gaze, to non-directly quote the movie, and that is no longer enough. A tenet of the Barbie movie is that we're all living in a man's world, and even the Kens get to thinking that's a good thing. When Ken finally realizes what it is he really needs, it's a good reminder that we are all, indeed yes, Ken-ough. Leave it to a Barbie movie to help you find your self-worth.