Excellent take by the Niveditha. I went with none other than one of my good north indian friends Parv Tyagi to watch Barbie. I was underwhelmed - for the first 5 minutes. But see, I always knew - I always knew - I would like the movie. Good director, good material, and a potential to be relatable to everyone. That's Barbie's thing after all.
But little did I know, that was the day I'd understand and accept myself. It was Ken - an endearing figure, giving it his all each day, but still being relegated to the "side charecter" role. Pummeling in my head is the question "Am I good enough?"
See, I was born blessed with many talents - drawing, art, people; all of which circumstance led me to neglect. All I am in the eyes of people around me is "CLAT topper". I'm not even a great law student, you know? Ken changed that. "I'm just Ken" - that's when I understood what this Movie is all about. Barbie is God - perfection, complete realization of potential yearning for something more - human. Yearing for flaw, and ultimately rejects Barbie society altogether. Then there is Ken, yearning for his "something more". Ken isn't just chasing after Barbie's affection, he's chasing after Barbie. To be Barbie. To be the purpose for which you exist. So why is Ken endearing? The answer is so simple. He's not perfect, but someone like him would be good enough for many of us ("Anywhere else I'd be a ten"). He doesn't win Barbie's affection - rather, he's forced to overcome and see what he is beyond that. Barbie rejects her old life out of her own free will - after all, she is perfect and therefore has the ability to reach "imperfection" if she so desires. She is absolute. Ken? Ken symbolizes the human struggling to achieve perfection. Ken never willingly discards Barbie - he accepts that nothing will ever be enough for a being like Barbie. But he can learn to find solace in being Ken. He can find solace in fighting. He can find solance in defeat knowing he gave his all.
Ken represents the human spirit - to beat the odds. Barbie represents godhood - something which is a part of our lives, something intrinsic to our being, but something that will never completely embrace us in life.
Excellent take by the Niveditha. I went with none other than one of my good north indian friends Parv Tyagi to watch Barbie. I was underwhelmed - for the first 5 minutes. But see, I always knew - I always knew - I would like the movie. Good director, good material, and a potential to be relatable to everyone. That's Barbie's thing after all.
But little did I know, that was the day I'd understand and accept myself. It was Ken - an endearing figure, giving it his all each day, but still being relegated to the "side charecter" role. Pummeling in my head is the question "Am I good enough?"
See, I was born blessed with many talents - drawing, art, people; all of which circumstance led me to neglect. All I am in the eyes of people around me is "CLAT topper". I'm not even a great law student, you know? Ken changed that. "I'm just Ken" - that's when I understood what this Movie is all about. Barbie is God - perfection, complete realization of potential yearning for something more - human. Yearing for flaw, and ultimately rejects Barbie society altogether. Then there is Ken, yearning for his "something more". Ken isn't just chasing after Barbie's affection, he's chasing after Barbie. To be Barbie. To be the purpose for which you exist. So why is Ken endearing? The answer is so simple. He's not perfect, but someone like him would be good enough for many of us ("Anywhere else I'd be a ten"). He doesn't win Barbie's affection - rather, he's forced to overcome and see what he is beyond that. Barbie rejects her old life out of her own free will - after all, she is perfect and therefore has the ability to reach "imperfection" if she so desires. She is absolute. Ken? Ken symbolizes the human struggling to achieve perfection. Ken never willingly discards Barbie - he accepts that nothing will ever be enough for a being like Barbie. But he can learn to find solace in being Ken. He can find solace in fighting. He can find solance in defeat knowing he gave his all.
Ken represents the human spirit - to beat the odds. Barbie represents godhood - something which is a part of our lives, something intrinsic to our being, but something that will never completely embrace us in life.