Summary
- Gerwig’s Barbie movie has faced criticism for “selling out” by collaborating with Mattel, but Cera defends it, saying that a film is a product.
- The Barbie movie pushes boundaries and includes a scene where a character criticizes Barbie for promoting unrealistic body standards.
- The movie’s success disproves claims of it being a sellout attempt and instead critiques the capitalist system it exists within.
Barbie movie star Michael Cera addresses criticism of Greta Gerwig for supposedly selling out. Having previously made Lady Bird and 2019’s Little Women, Gerwig co-wrote and directed the Barbie movie starring Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling as the Mattel dolls who embark on a journey of self-discovery after an existential crisis. The movie has been a massive commercial success, grossing $344 million worldwide in its opening weekend. While Gerwig’s movie has been praised for its handling of the Mattel fashion dolls and feminism, there has been some criticism accusing the director of selling out.
In an interview with GQ conducted prior to the SAG-AFTRA strike, Cera shared his thoughts on whether Gerwig making the Barbie movie in conjunction with Mattel constitutes “selling out.” The Barbie movie star, who plays the hilariously out-of-place Allan, shrugged off the criticism, stating that a movie is inherently “a product” and “a capitalist venture.” Read Cera’s response below:
A film is a product. A film is a capitalist venture, isn’t it? I mean, they don’t put them out for our health; they’re trying to make a return on them. That’s a bit confusing.
Why Greta Gerwig Didn’t Sell Out With The Barbie Movie
Barbie is Gerwig’s first time working with a beloved brand, but it’s unfair to accuse the director of selling out. Though the Warner Bros. movie was made in collaboration with Mattel, Gerwig wasn’t afraid to push boundaries under those circumstances. The movie includes a scene when the teenaged Sasha eviscerates Barbie to her face for promoting unattainable body standards. The critical scene caused concern among Mattel executives, who argued with Gerwig about removing the scene that could potentially be damaging to the brand, but Gerwig held her ground.
The Barbie movie is far from a sellout attempt or an IP-driven cash grab, which is actually a real problem in Hollywood. Despite being based on an iconic brand, Barbie now holds the distinction of being the biggest opening weekend ever for a non-sequel, remake, or superhero property. Cera recognizes that “film is a capitalist venture,” and the Barbie movie absolutely delivers in that regard, but with its exaggerated depiction of all-male Mattel executives like Will Ferrell’s CEO, it’s also a critique of the very capitalist system that it exists within.
Source: GQ
