«Barbie» has dominated social media since its big premiere on Friday, but one moment in particular has become a wake-up call for women who have seen the film.
The text of a speech given by America Ferrera’s character, Gloria, about the expectations women have has been shared on social media by women of all ages, many saying they feel the monologue describes the challenges women face under the patriarchy.
The speech has resonated especially with Latina women, who appreciate that Ferrera has been the messenger of this resonant cinematic moment.
In «Barbie,» after the titular Barbie, played by Margot Robbie, returns to Barbieland with Gloria and her daughter Sasha, played by Ariana Greenblatt, she is devastated to discover that the Kens have taken over and brainwashed the rest of the Barbies.
Barbie sobs and tells Gloria that she feels like she will never be good enough, at which point Gloria launches into a monologue about the contradictions of femininity.
«It’s literally impossible to be a woman. You’re so beautiful and so smart, and it kills me that you don’t think you’re good enough,» Gloria tells Barbie. «We have to always be extraordinary, but somehow we are always doing it wrong.»
She then goes on to talk about how women are expected to «be skinny but not too skinny» and to «have money but can’t ask for money because that’s rude», and to be «a boss but can’t be mean».
Gloria walks through the series of contradictions and expectations, eventually concluding that she is tired of seeing herself «and all the other women tying knots to get people to like me.»
«And if all of that is also true for a doll that only represents women, then I don’t even know,» she concludes.
The scene felt like a truth that Ferrera had always known, he said. los angeles times.
«There is not a woman in my life for whom those words are not true,» Ferrera told the Times. «Not a single one. And when we hear the truth, it hits a certain way, and you can’t stop listening to it, right?»
Director Greta Gerwig said Ferrera was the right person to comment on the film because «America is us.»
“America has lived in the world as a person and can articulate all of this. Barbie just had flat feet yesterday,» Gerwig explained to the Times.
Still, Ferrera said she felt her role in the film was a «miracle.»
«That kind of thing doesn’t happen often for Latinas in this industry. There are very few roles created for us, and it’s not in $100 million movies that are about cultural icons,» she said. saying.
ferrera said vanity fair the scene took two days and between 30 to 50 takes to film.
On social media, the moment has become a touchstone for women who feel the discourse perfectly articulates the unspoken expectations they have been forced to grapple with.
«This is what the inside of my brain sounds like EVERY DAY. The movie shows femininity like nothing I’ve ever seen before,» said one person. tweeted.
Another person aware«This monologue could have made or broken the movie, I’m serious…I’m so glad it was perfect. I was crying.»
A person wrote the speech was to be «printed, read daily, and taught in school.»
While many called the speech an important and powerful moment, others called it «cheesy» and claimed it amounted to «feminism 101.»
«I’m going to say something controversial, but the people who are shocked by this monologue are people who have never thought critically about feminism or being a woman before,» one person said. tweeted.
Still, many who saw the film said the monologue will resonate with them long after «Barbie» leaves theaters.
«I started crying when I realized what a great role America Ferrera had in the Barbie movie. I loved my Barbies growing up and would ask my dad how I could have lighter skin to look like my Barbies. AND NOW A LATINA WAITING FOR HIM FOR THE BARBIE MOVIE,» said one person. tweeted. «I’m so happy for those girls who hopefully won’t ask for lighter skin because they saw America taking up space.»