Greta Gerwig’s Barbie is easily one of this summer’s most sensational big screen successes. The film which competed with Christopher Nolan’s Oppenheimer, broke all box office records, while also gaining a lot of critical acclaim for its nuanced feminism that touched a chord with women all over the world.
As hard as it is to believe, Gerwig did not initially find favor from all corners for her inspiring script, with her own husband and co-writer Noah Baumbach wanting the project to be shelved. Despite his apprehension, Gerwig roped him in to see it through, and proved that her instincts were spot on.
Greta Gerwig’s Husband Discouraged Her From Making Barbie
Barbie directed by Greta Gerwig and starring Margot Robbie, became one of the biggest grossers in the box office this year. Apart from its blockbuster success, Gerwig’s inspired screenplay that she wrote along with her husband Noah Baumbach, provided powerful food for thought, especially with regard to the stature of women across the world.
The film though, almost did not see the light of day, due to Baumbach’s hesitancy to take it the distance. Speaking to Variety, the writer recalled his conversation with Gerwig and how he ultimately was roped in to finish what he started.
“I thought it was a terrible idea and Greta signed me up for it. I was just like, ‘I don’t see how this is going to be good at all’. I kind of blocked it for a while and every time she’d bring it up, I’d be like, ‘You’ve gotta get us out of this.’”
It was only after Gerwig insisted on Baumbach looking at the script with a keener eye, so to speak, that he realized the power and impact of what the narrative was trying to convey, while still being relatable to the audience.
Greta Gerwig’s Scathing Reply To Barbie Trolls
Using the superficial aspect of beauty and appearance to call out patriarchal norms in society, was the unique feature that made Greta Gerwig’s Barbie a groundbreaking film. With its meteoric success, the 40-year-old filmmaker made history by becoming the first female director to enter the elite billion dollar club.
Impossible to imagine, is the criticism and backlash that Gerwig received from a few netizens, who were of the opinion that the Lady Bird director’s film was too trivial to stand up against Christopher Nolan’s Oppenheimer. Gerwig though, was unperturbed by these unsolicited comments, and gave back her own scathing reply to her trolls . Speaking at The Hollywood Reporter’s Directors Roundtable, Gerwig said,
“All of my [tough moments] are petty. Like people telling me, without me asking, that they didn’t like my movie. ‘It wasn’t for me.’ Go f*ck yourselves!”
With Barbie, Gerwig further cemented her place as one of Hollywood’s most important voices, especially when it comes to female-centric themes.
