INTRODUCTION       

                 In Greta Gerwig's Barbie, dollhood and womanhood have coalesced into creating a feminist fable that allows multiple dimensions and perspectives to its viewers. In trying to strike a reconciliation between Barbieland and the real world, Gerwig dabbles in subverting stereotypes that the (in)famous doll had set in motion when launched on March 9, 1959, ironically a day after International Women's Day. Mattel's unreal fashion icon was named after Ruth Handler's daughter Barbara. Inspired by the German adult doll, Bild Lilli, a doll with breasts and the rest, received scathing criticisms from all sections, especially physicians and psychologists. 

                 Thus, 'Reviving Ophelia: Saving the Selves of Adolescent Girls' written in 1994 by Mary Pipher which explores the societal pressures on American adolescent girls became one of the inspirations of Gerwig while crafting the film. Pipher has stated that self-esteem issues faced by teenagers have been neglected in our pursuit of issues centred around adult women in the feminist movement. Teenage girls have lesser coping skills in comparison to adult women. Hence, they are more prone to sexism and violence meted out to them. 

   THE CINEMATIC REINVENTION

           More than 60 years later since its origin, the live-action-packed feature film reprises Mattel's most famous creation in the bespoke candy-coloured land. Margot Robbie along with Ryan Gosling as Barbie and Ken navigate the roller coaster ride from the pink haven and out. All thanks to Barbie for solving the problems of feminism and equal rights from the Barbieland- where dolls can be anything and achieve everything. They seem to have successfully rendered this potpourri of success for women in the real world thereby making them more emancipated and empowered. 

          Trouble in Paradise starts when Barbie is haunted by thoughts of death and anxiety. Sadness is multiplied owing to the epic falls-flat feet and cellulite! A satire of no lesser degree than Alexander Pope's ' The Rape of the Lock'. In an attempt to awaken her grace and smile, Barbie must visit the real world. 

RIDE FROM THE FANTASY TO THE REAL

             Ken, an appendage to Barbie in the Barbieland enjoys Patriarchy in the real world where men are in charge. Barbie is chased, suppressed and objectified. Her confrontation with Sasha, a gothy teen much like Wednesday Adams is rather hard-hitting: " You have been making women feel bad about themselves since you were invented," " You set the feminist movement back 50 years, you fascist!" Instead of creating a utopia, Barbie unknowingly had been sowing seeds of a dystopic world.   

             Taking a dive into many controversies: consumerism, gender roles and others, the movie sets the tone straight that real life is significantly much more difficult in real than living in plastic. 

CONCLUSION

          The public reception of Barbie is controversial and paradoxical like the doll itself.  One set of audience accuses Barbie of scarring young girls by always looking perfect. She can be anything and achieve everything- which has further complicated the idea of success and failure much like the American dream. Another set of audience revels in nostalgia. Celebrating the idea of ‘blissfully unaware’ dollhood, cinephiles laud the cultural icon for good, bad and worse.