Barbie, The Movie | It's so much bigger than her...

Barbie, The Movie 2023 | AMC Theaters

The icon Barbie has become has been a worldwide phenomenon for as long as I can remember growing up -- she was everywhere.

Yet, she never looked like me.

And for the first time while we were watching the film ( Barbie, 2023 ) I saw something in Barbie that I have been searching for within myself.

Barbie (the character) bares her heart when she realizes the damage that she (Barbie, the doll) has done -- in the real world, where (real) women live 24/7, not in Barbieland.

The harsh reality hit her like a ton of bricks when her and Ken take a trip to the 'real world' to find out what's going on and why her "perfect" existence and body is "malfunctioning".

So although her journey was selfish upon departure, she later realized that the idea of the "perfect Barbie doll" that was supposed to inspire women and young girls, has been a huge cause for their low self-esteem and pain and it was so much bigger than her. She returned to Barbieland with a new found inner-standing that there is a real heavy load that has been placed (unfairly) onto the backs, shoulders and hips of women.

Barbie Movie, AMC Theaters

I personally feel the Monologue by actress America Ferrera was so beautifully touching, I felt it deserved it's own special highlight.

Short BTS story: The monologue took nearly 30 takes to capture, and Greta Gerwig (Director) revealed that everyone on set, men included, cried listening to it.

America Ferrera in Barbie

Here’s Every Word (Verbatim) of America Ferrera’s Barbie Monologue

It is literally impossible to be a woman. You are so beautiful, and so smart, and it kills me that you don't think you're good enough. Like, we have to always be extraordinary, but somehow we're always doing it wrong.

You have to be thin, but not too thin. And you can never say you want to be thin. You have to say you want to be healthy, but also you have to be thin. You have to have money, but you can't ask for money because that's crass. You have to be a boss, but you can't be mean. You have to lead, but you can't squash other people's ideas.

You're supposed to love being a mother, but don't talk about your kids all the damn time. You have to be a career woman but also always be looking out for other people. You have to answer for men's bad behavior, which is insane, but if you point that out, you're accused of complaining. You're supposed to stay pretty for men, but not so pretty that you tempt them too much or that you threaten other women because you're supposed to be a part of the sisterhood.

But always stand out and always be grateful. But never forget that the system is rigged. So find a way to acknowledge that but also always be grateful. You have to never get old, never be rude, never show off, never be selfish, never fall down, never fail, never show fear, never get out of line.

It's too hard! It's too contradictory and nobody gives you a medal or says thank you! And it turns out in fact that not only are you doing everything wrong, but also everything is your fault.

I'm just so tired of watching myself and every single other woman tie herself into knots so that people will like us. And if all of that is also true for a doll just representing women, then I don't even know.

I was inspired to read more into the story behind what words actually made "the cut".

The monologue was written by Greta Gerwig originally (for those of who don't know, Greta is an American actress, playwright, screenwriter, and director).

Greta Gerwig director of Barbie

However Greta Gerwig and America Ferrera spent months refining it into the final version that Ferrera's character (Gloria) shares in the film.

America Ferrera even said: “We would text each other anything related to it,” she added that they used songs, articles, and movie scenes that captured “what Gloria’s talking about,” in addition to a personal notebook entry Ferrera wrote nine months before joining the film.

“Ultimately, it was about giving myself permission to let go of expectations that had been placed on me,” Ferrera said of the entry. “I was trying to meet those expectations and be my true self. And those things were at odds, and something had to give.”

My personal favorite was at the very end of the film (spoiler alert) where the script line reads:

"We mothers stand still so our daughters can look back to see how far they've come"

Ruth Marianna Handler was an American businesswoman and inventor. She is best known for inventing the Barbie doll in 1959, and being co-founder of toy manufacturer Mattel with her husband Elliot, as well as serving as the company's first president from 1945 to 1975.

This line is said by the elderly character Ruth Handler in the 2023 movie Barbie. Ruth Handler ( played by actress Rhea Perlman ) says this after explaining that she can't control Barbie or her own daughter, and that after a certain point, a mother must "stand still" and let their child become their own person. 

Actress Rhea Perlman as Ruth Handler in Barbie

The line is delivered by Rhea Perlman with a familiar warmth and has been described as the movie's most profound line.

I was wiping the tears from my face as I watched the end scene, it was so touching. I looked over at my young daughter and felt every word that was spoken as it translated to her in real-time.

Rhea Perlman and Margot Robbie in Barbie

She looked at me and asked: "why are you crying, mom?" and all I could say is, "because I love you so much and sometimes it's a lot for my heart to handle" and she gave me the biggest hug.

I don't expect her to understand it now, however, I know she will as she grows.

Check out the "Barbie" trailer below.

If you haven't already, go out and see Barbie and let me know your thoughts.

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