“Barbenheimer” double feature blows up the box office
In early 2023, something interesting was happening in film forums all across the world. Two highly anticipated films, seemingly opposite to each other, “Barbie” and “Oppenheimer” were releasing on the same day. This innocuous occurrence sparked a worldwide meme known as “Barbenheimer.” The two films became tied to each other and as a result, influenced a bigger turnout for both movies.
Barbie:
“Men look at me like I’m an object, girls hate me!” Greta Gerwig’s Barbie is a beautiful comment on womanhood and coming of age. Throughout the movie, “Stereotypical Barbie”, portrayed by Margot Robbie, makes the journey from Barbie Land to the real world. The realities of the real world set in as she is catcalled by men, judged by women, alongside her “long term, long distance, low commitment, casual boyfriend” Ken, played by Ryan Gosling. Gosling and Robbie’s performances were incredible and made the whole theater burst into laughter. Along with their comedic abilities, they were able to deliver emotional monologues as well. After returning from the real world and finding out that the Kens have taken over Barbie Land, Robbie’s monologue was profoundly relatable to the experience of growing up. She questions her self-worth and realizes that, in fact, she is not the perfect, multi-talented, “stereotypical” Barbie she has always thought of herself as. America Ferrera’s monologue afterward is also an inspiring comment on how women are always told to make themselves smaller and seem perfect in all ways, which proves itself to be impossible.
Although the film made a comment on the experiences of women, it also demonstrated that in order to create a better society, women and men must be equal. Gosling’s monologue was a comedic yet truthful comment on how men are made to feel like they cannot cry or show weakness. The cherry on top of the film was the soundtrack. I enjoyed Tame Impala and Dua Lipa’s music, yet “What Was I Made For?” by Billie Eilish was my favorite. The song is beautifully written, as it explores how Barbie feels in one scene, yet relates to all women in the montage at the end. Ultimately, Barbie choses to experience life in the real world, despite the hardships. If you haven’t yet seen it, I would highly recommend Greta Gerwig’s Barbie for a heart wrenchingly realistic yet comforting film for all ages.
Oppenheimer:
Despite being a film about a bomb, “Oppenheimer” is anything but. The film has made a staggering $800 million at the box office, and continues to climb. For an R-rated film that is mostly scenes of stuffy guys talking, that is an incredible feat and a good indication that movies are in a good spot right now.
“Oppenheimer” is the latest feature from director Christopher Nolan and tells the true story of J. Robert Oppenheimer, the father of the atomic bomb. The film takes a nonlinear approach, choosing to jump around between scenes of the initial concepts for the bomb and the titular character in his twilight years, remorseful of his deadly creation. This is a typical storytelling technique for Christopher Nolan and he uses it to great effect here, contrasting the jovial and excited young physicist with the broken man he would become.
Clocking in at three hours, this is not a short movie. I dare say it is too long. However, I would not call any scene boring. Nolan has a gift that allows him to give long scenes of exposition that feel, in themselves, like an action scene. The scenes of Oppenheimer on trial for his involvement with communists are extremely tense, and have some great opportunities for Nolan to flex his impressive cast.
Speaking of, everyone brought their A-game. Cillian Murphy is a strong contender for an Oscar and gives surprising depth to Oppenheimer himself. Emily Blunt and Matt Damon are also great supporting roles and both have scenes where they are truly allowed to show what they are capable of. However, I think Robert Downey Jr. might just be the showstealer here. He plays Lewis Strauss, a jealous opponent of Oppenheimer’s. His performance is infectiously cruel and petty, culminating in an outburst at the end which really cements him as 2023’s Best Supporting Actor frontrunner. The rest of the cast is similarly fantastic too.
“Oppenheimer” is magnificent. It is a spectacle in the best possible way, utilizing the best parts of Nolan’s filmmaking and bringing audiences back to the theaters.
