Ken Exemplifies Patriarchy’s Brilliance

“Barbie” is the most ridiculous sort of attempt⁢ at⁢ a feminist morality tale. It’s supposed‍ to be a‍ subversive movie ⁢about the⁣ patriarchy, ‍but the best part ⁤of the film is⁤ Ken, ‌who ‍takes the patriarchy to Barbieland and makes it look kinda awesome — at least more fun than the patriarchy in the real world. This is a consistent problem with leftist​ storytelling, where they seek to elevate women⁢ through the politics of respectability and identity and almost always accomplish the⁢ opposite.

The⁢ Problem with Feminist Films

The movie ​“A ‍League of Their‍ Own” is both a sacred cow and a perfect example ⁣of this problem. It regularly tops lists of best feminist films, and because of that it also must ‌be included on lists of best sports ​films. It is a great movie about ⁣an interesting period of U.S. history, but ⁤the men are by ⁢far ‌the best part of the⁤ film.

The‌ biggest laughs and most memorable lines are all given to men. Tom Hanks and Jon Lovitz steal every scene they’re in. That was probably framed as deconstructive of toxic​ masculinity (though that particular phrase was not ​in vogue at the time) because the men are jokes,⁣ while the women are‌ heroes. That film is rewatchable, and a minor sports ⁣classic, because⁢ of the male leads. The women ‍are mostly dour and serious.

The Problem with “Parks and Recreation”

“Parks and Recreation” ⁤was plagued by the same problem. Early on in the show, Leslie⁤ Knope is a ‍genuinely funny and interesting character. She’s got more in common with Michael Scott than Hillary Clinton. ​Then⁤ sometime ​in the third season she stops being funny‍ and starts being successful. ‌After that point, the most memorable ⁢characters are all men. Ron Swanson, an out-and-out libertarian, is consistently the standout. Amy Poehler ⁢isn’t given much to do for most of the⁣ second ​half‌ of the⁤ series because she ⁣became⁤ a role model for women in politics. On the left sacred cows must be worshipped. They cannot be laughed at, at least‍ not consistently.

The Entertaining Side of “Barbie”

With “Barbie,” Greta ‍Gerwig ‌has ⁤placed herself squarely within this grand tradition of feminist storytelling that trips over itself trying to beat the Bechdel Test to death, but ⁣instead makes the best parts of the film about‍ men. Margot Robbie is quite stunning as Barbie, but she’s given⁣ relatively ⁢little‌ to do⁤ except look pretty. ‍The few moments of comedy and genuine drama she does have are great, even occasionally meaningful, but ⁤Ryan Gosling steals ‌the entire film. His comedic range ⁤apparently has no limits as his character is given total hilarious freedom.

The film this is ‌actually most similar⁣ to is⁤ “Lego Batman,” which is ‍the better pairing‌ for ⁣a‌ double feature, not “Oppenheimer.”‌ In “Lego Batman,” Batman is​ both the joke and the​ hero. Unlike Will Arnett’s ‌Batman, the whole⁤ concept of “Barbie” being ⁢meticulously lampooned throughout the ⁤film is simply not very‍ funny. Most of ⁢the jokes are ⁤simple references to​ ridiculous things Mattel has ‍done with Barbie in the‍ past. To diehard Barbie fans that’s probably worth ​a grin, but ‌to the average viewer it​ falls​ flat.

The Ultimate Himbo: Ken

“Lego Batman” had similar self-deprecating jokes, but mostly the humor came out in the actual writing and performances. Ryan Gosling’s Ken accomplishes just that. The female characters ⁣are mostly forgettable, ‌but ‌Gosling as Ken ‍shines the ⁤ultimate himbo. Ken journeys⁣ to discover his purpose beyond Barbie’s accessory, but unlike Barbie’s dramatic character arc,⁣ his soul searching is less self-serious. He ⁣just wants to make Barbieland fun — ⁢full of horses, brewski beers, and “The ⁤Godfather” movie nights.

This is‌ all ⁢assuredly part of what writers Noah⁣ Baumbach and Gerwig think is a devastating takedown of the patriarchy. One gets the sense that‍ virtually everything in the film is intended to be ⁢taken sideways in some sense. Which makes ‌America Ferrera’s character feel completely out of place. She plays a normal ⁤mom from the real world ‍and almost everything she says and does is essentially preaching the feminist gospel. In a fantasy film ⁣about Barbie, it’s jarring, to say the least. Ferrera ⁤is incredibly ‌talented as a comedian, but ⁤she’s mostly given lines that were designed to be read from a ‌soapbox.

Despite being⁤ a clumsy piece of feminist art, which in ​itself is ⁢the most biting kind of unintended satire, Ken and‌ his fellow Kens ‍make up for it in entertainment value.