Podcast | ‘Barbie’ Episode Recap

The Imbibe Cinema podcast hosts, Jonathan C. Legat, Tricia Legat, and Michael Noens, are joined by special guest Katherine Siegle as they tackle Greta Gerwig's Barbie (while enjoying a Frozé). The crew discuss transitioning from initial reluctance to discovering it to be a surprisingly brilliant and multi-layered film.

The core argument is that Barbie is more than a discussion about a doll or women; it is a conversation about how we see, treat, understand gender as a society. Tricia referenced an insight from Meryl Streep, noting that women are raised in "the language of men" to succeed in the world, while men don't need to learn "the language of women" to better their situation.

The film highlights that humans are more alike than we are different and equally capable intellectually, emotionally, and spiritually. It breaks Tricia’s heart that society lets superficial differences, such as "reproductive equipment," get in the way of evolving as a species, viewing these differences as just accessories.

Jonathan added a poignant point from a mutual friend: a toy cannot be gender-specific if children do not use a specific gender part to play with it, suggesting there should be no such thing as a strictly "boys toy" or "girls toy."

The movie utilizes humor and deep reflection to explore its themes, such as the brilliant opening sequence that parodies 2001: A Space Odyssey by showing Barbie's evolution from dolls whose only option was motherhood to having every kind of occupation, signaling the progression of intelligence and enlightenment as a species.

The conversation highlights several crucial lines. The record skip moment when Barbie asks, "Do you ever think about dying?" is a surprising laugh-getter that stops everything.

The park bench scene was deemed so essential that Greta Gerwig told studio executives she didn't know what the movie would be about if it were cut.

Ruth Handler (Rhea Pearlman), a.k.a. God, explains that humans need to create things like Barbie to make sense of the world and to get us through the hard times. Tricia notes her favorite line from Handler: "As women, as mothers, we stand still so our daughters can look back and see how far they've come."

The film is praised for its production value, costume design, and deep-cut references. The entire project was an exercise in channeling "inner child energy" and freedom to play. The travel sequence from Barbie Land to the real world used live-action treadmills and crew members moving things — a nod to the silent film era.

The choice Barbie makes between a high heel and a Birkenstock is called the road to enlightenment. Katherine wants to know how many other brands of shoes were considered before they landed on Birkenstock" — or was Birkenstock always the number one choice, as it always should be?" Barbie, of course, ends the film rocking a pink Birkenstock.

Ryan Gosling's portrayal of Ken is hailed as brilliant. His power ballad, "I’m Just Ken," evolved into an 11-minute war battle dance production. Ken’s wisdom is recognized in his line, "we were only fighting because we didn't know who we were."

Margot Robbie's monologue to Ken is noted for its brilliance, as she realizes her own truth simultaneously: she is "just Barbie," and not defined by her house, status, or job (nuclear physicist, President, etc.). This message pushes back on the idea that one has less worth if they aren't a big success.

The film's deep knowledge of Mattel's history is seen in the inclusion of discontinued or real dolls like Weird Barbie, Michael Cera’s Alan (the only one of his kind), and Midge (the pregnant doll with a fetus inside, confirmed in the credits as real).

In a final lighthearted note, the podcast crew agreed that the film was "better than Oppenheimer."

Episode Beverage Pairing

Ingredients

• 1 bottle rosé wine
• 10 ounces fresh strawberries
• ¼ cup of vodka

Blend and pour into individual glasses and garnish with extra strawberries.