by For over 60 years, Barbie has represented an aspirational ideal of femininity through her perfectly coiffed blond hair, impossibly tiny waist, and carefree lifestyle. As the first live-action Barbie film, Greta Gerwig’s upcoming movie had the challenge of subverting decades of this carefully crafted image while still appealing to Barbie’s legions of fans. For directors Gerwig and co-writer Noah Baumbach, finding the right balance between honoring the nostalgia of the iconic doll and offering a fresh perspective was no doubt a delicate creative balancing act.
Gerwig, known for her indie films centered around nuanced female characters like Lady Bird and Frances Ha, faced pressure to bring her trademark wit and insight to the role while satisfying audience expectations of a fun, lighthearted romp in Barbieland. Striking that balance would have been a tricky task. Gerwig would have had to determine how far she could push the boundaries of subversion without alienating longtime Barbie lovers or watering down her vision. Every creative decision, from the script to costumes to cinematography, would have been scrutinized for its faithfulness to the brand versus its independence.
For leading man Ryan Gosling, playing Ken presented another layer of expectation management. Ken, as Barbie’s perpetually smiling boyfriend, is the epitome of plastic perfection – tall, tan, and toothsome with not a hair out of place. In the films, he exists solely to complement and support Barbie. Gosling, known for intense, brooding performances in movies like Drive and Blade Runner 2049, would have faced the challenge of finding nuance in such a superficially conceived character. He would have had to determine how to inject humor, depth and his own inimitable charisma into Ken without veering too far from the source material or seeming disrespectful of the toy line.
Both Gerwig and Gosling likely spent considerable time in pre-production workshopping ideas and testing different approaches to strike that elusive balance. Every scene, line reading and costume choice would have been scrutinized through the dual lenses of subversion and faithfulness. Bringing their unique directorial and acting styles to iconic characters like Barbie and Ken while coloring within the brand’s lines was no small feat. The pressure to get that balance just right and not disappoint legions of fans was immense.
Finding the Right Tone: A Delicate Balancing Act
In addition to balancing expectations, Gerwig and Gosling would have faced the ongoing challenge of nailing the film’s tricky tone – a balance of humor, satire and potential heart. Getting the tone right would have been paramount to the film’s success, yet also immensely difficult to finesse. Going too far into cynicism or critique risked alienating the audience the film seeks to entertain and inspire. Yet a fluffy, superficial romp also wouldn’t satisfy Gerwig and Gosling’s artistic ambitions.
Every comedic beat, line reading and story beat would have been meticulously workshopped and tested to gauge whether moments were succeeding at being funny without veering into mean-spirited parody. Subtleties in acting, music cues, production design and cinematography would all have contributed to establishing the nebulous comedic tone. With such a high-profile property, every element would come under intense scrutiny.
Gerwig likely spent hours in editing deciding whether certain jokes or plot points felt respectful rather than biting, and heartfelt rather than hollow. She would have had to carefully consider cultural sensitivities around gender and perception of beauty in order to incorporate social commentary without coming across as preachy. Finding the right balance of humor, pathos and social insight was unquestionably a persistent challenge throughout production that only grew more delicate in the editing room.
For Gosling, nailing his comedic timing and line deliveries while bringing nuance to Ken also would have required meticulous calibration. His takes on particularly silly or outlandish moments risked feeling disrespectful if not reined in with self-awareness. But without committing fully to the absurdity, the humor may have fallen flat. Gosling likely worked closely with Gerwig to discover Ken’s sweet spot through numerous retakes that tested the boundaries of tone.
Adapting to a Comedic Genre
While Gerwig and Gosling have both proven their talents extend beyond any single genre, “Barbie” marked their first foray into a full-fledged comedy intended purely to entertain rather than provoke reflection. For Gerwig, this meant adjusting her signature directing style, known for its observant, grounded portrayals of everyday life, to the faster pace and heightened realities of the comedic form.
Scenes would have played out much more quickly in “Barbie,” with tighter editing, bolder visual choices and emphasis on comedic timing rather than naturalism. Gerwig likely spent long hours on set helping actors hit their marks and meet comedic beats precisely while maintaining her focus on character. Transitioning between different tones on a dime, from silly to sweet to satirical, would have required deft handling.
In the editing room, Gerwig faced the new challenge of structuring a plot that was, above all else, funny and entertaining from beginning to end. Pacing, rhythm and escalation of comedic set pieces would have demanded a different approach than her previous work. Honing the precise comedic structure and flow was surely an intensive learning process that came with trials of what worked and didn’t land.
For Gosling, the transition to a leading role in a big-budget comedy also pushed him outside his wheelhouse. While he’s proven himself a talented funnyman in smaller supporting roles, carrying a major comedic film would have required Gosling to fully embrace over-the-top line deliveries, physical comedy and a lighter presence he’s not typically associated with.
Nailing comedic timing in his interactions with costars like Margot Robbie would have taken Gosling out of his comfort zone with each take. Committing fully to the absurdity of Ken without feeling like a caricature was a constant balancing act. Gosling likely welcomed Gerwig’s guidance as he explored new aspects of his comedic abilities for the first time in such an exposed leading role.
Overcoming Technical Challenges
In addition to the artistic challenges of tone, expectations and genre, Gerwig and Gosling would have faced significant technical obstacles in translating the world of Barbie to life. Filming on expansive, elaborately designed sets meant to depict an idealized, pastel-colored version of Barbie’s universe would have been a production challenge, to say the least.
Complex, CGI-heavy sequences like the “Barbie Dreamhouse” scenes or the “Magic Mirror” portal jumps between worlds would have demanded both practical and digital wizardry. Executing these fantastical elements photorealistically while maintaining a sense of whimsy was no small task.
Coordinating elaborate production numbers and action sequences involving dozens of performers in syncopated choreography and costumes also presented obstacles. Ensuring safety, precision and an entertaining end product across multiple takes was a testament to Gerwig and Gosling’s command on set.
Working with green screen and visual effects on a scale neither had tackled before also introduced technical learning curves. Getting the right performances against minimal backgrounds and trusting the magic of post-production required a shift in directorial process. Each new technical challenge expanded Gerwig and Gosling’s skillsets.
Overcoming Hurdles With Heart
By all accounts, Gerwig and Gosling’s collaboration on “Barbie” was a rewarding experience that overcame early doubts to receive widespread acclaim following its debut at CinemaCon. Their ability to rise above expectations, find the right tone through trial and error, adapt to new genres, and surmount technical obstacles is a testament to their talents.
More than blockbuster spectacle, “Barbie” seems to have succeeded most in its heart – a quality that likely guided Gerwig and Gosling’s vision from day one of filming through editing and post-production challenges. By focusing first and foremost on crafting vibrant characters and genuine human stories within a fantastical world, they appear to have balanced artistic ambition with crowd-pleasing entertainment.
In so doing, Gerwig and Gosling overcame the considerable hurdles of such an iconic yet creatively constrictive property to deliver a fresh perspective audiences seem eager to see. Their partnership shows the power of creative collaboration to transform limitations into opportunities through belief in their vision and mastery of craft. “Barbie” may just prove the starting point for both artists to push boundaries in even bolder new directions.
