Reading Time: 4 minutes The recent Oscars nominations left many shocked and bewildered as Greta Gerwig and Margot Robbie, key figures in the film "Barbie," were noticeably absent from the list.
Shocking Oscar Snub for “Barbie” Key Figures
The recent Oscars nominations left many shocked and bewildered as Greta Gerwig and Margot Robbie, key figures in the film “Barbie,” were noticeably absent from the list. This unexpected snub caused a wave of outrage on the internet and among their colleagues. The question on everyone’s mind is, what was the real reason behind this exclusion?
The Impact of Barbie’s Doll Origins
One factor that seems to have played a significant role in Barbie’s Oscar snub is the film’s association with the iconic doll. While “Barbie” received a nomination for Best Picture, Greta Gerwig was overlooked for Best Director, and Margot Robbie was left out of the Best Actress category. The doll’s origins seemed to have worked against them. The Associated Press even described Gerwig’s snub as “one of the biggest shocks in recent memory.” This omission sparked a flood of criticism, with some fans suggesting that Ryan Gosling’s nomination for Best Supporting Actor while Gerwig and Robbie were left out only reinforced the film’s central message about the persistence of the patriarchy.
The Film’s Underestimated Originality
Another reason behind Barbie’s snub could be the film industry’s lingering sexism and a failure to take the toy-based film seriously. Despite the film’s nomination for Best Picture, Oscar voters seemed unwilling or unable to look beyond its surface appeal as a billion-dollar popcorn movie. They failed to recognize the film’s inventive and subversive qualities, dismissing it as a mere commercial success. Barbie challenges stereotypes about women with its meta-wit, exemplified by Robbie’s character named Stereotypical Barbie. However, this message is wrapped in a vibrant, candy-colored package, which perhaps obscured the film’s imaginative and substantial aspects orchestrated by Gerwig.
Competition and Originality Concerns
With only five slots for directors among the ten films nominated for Best Picture, some films inevitably end up in the “must have directed themselves” category. In Barbie’s case, Gerwig appeared to have been displaced by nominees who directed smaller, more serious films. Justine Triet, deserving of her surprise nomination for the suspenseful “Anatomy of a Fall,” and Jonathan Glazer, a less expected nominee for the Holocaust drama “The Zone of Interest,” took Gerwig’s place. This suggests that Gerwig’s light-handed comedy couldn’t compete with the somber tone of these films.
Underestimating Barbie’s Originality
Signs of Barbie’s originality being underestimated emerged even before the nominations were announced. The Academy ruled that Gerwig and Noah Baumbach’s screenplay belonged in the adapted category, despite its obvious originality. The Academy’s Writers Branch justified this decision by considering the movie as based on a previously existing character, namely the doll, which some viewed as tone-deaf and rigid. Furthermore, at the Golden Globes, Barbie failed to win the Best Comedy or Musical category but received a newly-invented award for cinematic box office achievement, emphasizing its popularity and financial success rather than its artistic merits.
The Cultural Resonance of Barbie
Barbie’s relationship to money and corporate culture also posed challenges. The film criticizes Mattel, the company behind Barbie, as obtuse and patriarchal, yet the movie itself is a major studio production licensed by the toy company. This contradiction led to divided opinions among critics, with some questioning whether the film was “slickly subversive or inescapably corporate.” The preference for studio blockbusters over films with cultural resonance or freshness might explain why Barbie faced an uphill battle in gaining recognition from Oscar voters.
The Overlooked Performances
While the film’s director and lead actress were snubbed, America Ferrera’s supporting role as Gloria, the main human character in Barbieland, received a nomination. Ferrera’s character delivers a powerful monologue about the expectations placed on women, and her nomination can be attributed to the strength of that scene. Margot Robbie’s performance, on the other hand, was more subtle and nuanced, requiring a deeper understanding to appreciate its brilliance. As Ferrera suggested, people might have been fooled into thinking that Robbie’s work seemed easy. Gerwig and Robbie, both nominated as producers of the film, effectively conveyed the cognitive dissonance required to be a woman in a patriarchal society, and their contributions were deserving of recognition.
In conclusion, Barbie’s snub at the Oscars can be attributed to various factors, including the film’s association with a doll, the industry’s underestimation of its originality, and the competition from more serious films. Despite being nominated for Best Picture, the film’s inventiveness and cultural significance were overlooked. Additionally, the overlooked performances of Greta Gerwig and Margot Robbie, although recognized as producers, failed to garner the individual recognition they deserved.
Questions & Answers
Why were Greta Gerwig and Margot Robbie snubbed by the Oscars for their roles in “Barbie”?
Greta Gerwig and Margot Robbie were snubbed by the Oscars for their roles in “Barbie” due to various reasons, including the film’s association with a doll, competition from more serious films, and the industry’s failure to recognize its originality and cultural significance.
How did the association of Barbie with a doll impact its recognition at the Oscars?
The association of Barbie with a doll seemed to have worked against the film’s recognition at the Oscars. Despite receiving a nomination for Best Picture, Greta Gerwig was overlooked for Best Director, and Margot Robbie was left out of the Best Actress category. The doll’s origins appeared to have influenced the perception of the film.
What were some hints before the nominations that Barbie’s originality would be underestimated?
Before the nominations were announced, there were hints that Barbie’s originality would be underestimated. The Academy ruled that Greta Gerwig and Noah Baumbach’s screenplay belonged in the adapted category, and at the Golden Globes, Barbie failed to win the Best Comedy or Musical category but received an award for cinematic box office achievement instead.
What factors contributed to Barbie’s snub at the Oscars?
Several factors contributed to Barbie’s snub at the Oscars. The film industry’s lingering sexism may have played a role, but the film’s inventiveness and subversive qualities were also overlooked. Barbie’s association with a doll and its commercial success were seen as hindrances to its recognition as a serious and artistically significant film.
Which nomination did America Ferrera receive for her role in “Barbie”?
Before the nominations were announced, there were hints that Barbie’s originality would be underestimated. The Academy ruled that Greta Gerwig and Noah Baumbach’s screenplay belonged in the adapted category, and at the Golden Globes, Barbie failed to win the Best Comedy or Musical category but received an award for cinematic box office achievement instead.
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