Here’s how you can tell that “Barbie” – which I have seen – is an outstanding film:
Conservative creeps like Ben Shapiro, Ted Cruz, and Elon Musk hate the movie.
It’s so odd, too, because these little men fail to see that their hatred of the film reflects their own insecurity. They can’t see how their opposition to the film makes them look weak, small, and stupid.
It’s also odd how the men who take pride in being big and tough… the ones who love to use violent language, brandish firearms in public, defend patriarchal institutions, reject the existence of systemic racism, and denigrate gay and transgender Americans are also the ones who are utterly terrified of women.
Terrified of women in power. Terrified of women seizing power. Terrified of women dominating the culture. Terrified of women retaining ownership and autonomy over their bodies. Terrified of the economic rise of women. Terrified of the possibility that their status and position in this world may have more to do with their sex, race, and the socioeconomic status of their family than their intelligence, hard work, or talent.
These big, tough, manly men are so incredibly afraid.
Don’t get me wrong:
I have no complaint if you didn’t like “Barbie” for reasons related to actual filmmaking. I loved the film, but it may not be your kind of filmmaking.
A lot of people love Wes Anderson’s work, but I can’t stand it.
To each his own.
But if Barbie’s feminist philosophy or opposition to the patriarchy or illustration of privilege has you spinning, you’re almost certainly a small, frightened little man who can’t bear the thought of women holding power in this world. You can’t stand the possibility that you might be marginalized by women who are more intelligent, kinder, wiser, and grittier than you.
But here’s the thing:
You’d be better off saying nothing because saying something just makes you look small, weak, and sad. It betrays your fear. It shines a light on your insecurity.
It also gives me yet another reason to love the Barbie movie:
It makes a group of conservative creeps upset while on its way to grossing a billion dollars and pleasing hordes of moviegoers.
Huzzah.
