Barbie

I realize I’m late to the game, but I just found the time to take a break from the daily chores of my Timdom and relax in my mojo-dojo-casa-house to watch this movie. That Greta Gerwig, so woke - amirite? - trying to convince us that the patriarchy is bad and co-opting a classic American icon as her conduit for social commentary. Greta, stay in your lane, hon - smile, look pretty, take care of the kids, make the meals, clean the house. *** If you read that first part in the intended tone, then chances are you enjoyed “Barbie” and even chuckled a few times (as I did - mostly at Ryan Gosling’s ridiculousness as Ken). You appreciated the broad swipes at what it means to be “real.” You marveled at the film’s commitment to artifice, at Margot Robbie’s ability to make fluff meaningful. And you maybe cheered at America Ferrera’s passionate monologue that is the crux of the film. If you thought I was being serious, then you are likely part of 20ish% of folks who don’t recognize, understand, and/or appreciate satire. You likely don’t understand why Nora would leave her family at the end of “A Doll’s House” or you think that Jonathan Swift really meant that the English should eat (or turn into gloves) all the Irish babies. *** I give “Barbie” two plastic thumbs up - and if you don’t agree with me you can beach off!