There have been quite a few hot takes revolving around “Barbie.” This is just something that happens to any film that turns into a surprisingly massive hit and the biggest film (financially) of 2023. But with “Barbie,” it’s also a film that invites all sorts of debate surrounding its social message, which has been twisted by lots of different folks in an attempt to claim the film isn’t just feminist but it’s also “anti-men.”
In a new interview with “60 Minutes,” “Barbie” co-writer Noah Baumbach talked about the film being perceived as “anti-men.” And not surprising at all, the writer, who co-wrote the film alongside director Greta Gerwig, doesn’t think his film has some sort of anti-man agenda. Instead, he feels like the jokes at the expense of the men in the film, particularly Ken, weren’t anything that men in the audience wouldn’t be able to take. I mean, we’ve had decades and decades of films where men make fun of women, so Baumbach clearly thinks it’s okay (and rightfully so) to have a film that pokes fun back at men.
“I felt men could take it,” Baumbah said. “I mean, come on.”
Gerwig added, “I mean this sounds so silly to say out loud but I love Ken. We love Ken. We also take Ken’s position quite seriously.”
READ MORE: Margot Robbie Doesn’t Think ‘Barbie’ Needs A Sequel: “We Put Everything Into This One”
In the film, Ken is often shown to be a bit of an idiot. Not just that, when he goes to the real world, he absorbs all of the misogyny and toxic masculinity, bringing it back to Barbie’s realm. Of course, by the end of the movie, things have a way of working themselves out and all’s right in the world. But for some of the men who watched the film, the idea of Ken being made out to be openly misogynistic and a bit of a himbo was just a bridge too far.
Regardless of what some sensitive men think about “Barbie,” the film has already been a success beyond the hopes of anyone involved. So you have to assume Baumbach and Gerwig aren’t losing any sleep over this criticism.
