Greta Gerwig’s Barbie and David Fincher’s Fight Club seem worlds apart. While Fight Club is often seen as a celebration of tough-guy attitudes, it’s actually a critique of toxic masculinity. Whereas Barbie, based on the eponymous fashion dolls, is successfully wrapped up in the traditionally girly hue.
The difference between the two films (besides 25 years of cultural change) is mainly how they convey their message. Fight Club ends tragically, with the main character causing chaos in society.
On the contrary, Barbie gives its characters more control and shows a way to find a better sense of self. Yet, both are linked by one main goal—criticizing a society where men hold more power.
But there’s one more thing in common—Margot Robbie’s lines in the movie, which sound a lot like Brad Pitt’s in Fight Club. This is causing a lot of debate and talk among folks, and putting Gerwig in more trouble after people are already up in arms about the hideous Chevy car ad in the middle of her movie.
Greta Gerwig’s Barbie is Under Fire Again After Facing Chevy Car Ad Backlash
Greta Gerwig’s Barbie has already faced backlash for the Chevy commercial scene. The scene where America Ferrera drives a Chevy Blazer EV SS to save Margot Robbie’s Barbie feels like a car commercial instead of a movie scene.
It stands out as corny and out of place compared to the rest of the film. But now Greta Gerwig‘s successful comedy fantasy may invite backlash again for one of the scenes. It’s when Barbie advises Ken, saying:
“You’re not your girlfriend. You’re not your house. You’re not your mink. You’re not even beach. Maybe all the things you thought made you you, aren’t really you.”
Some people think it sounds like what Brad Pitt‘s Tyler Durden said 25 years ago in 1999’s flick:
“You are not your job, you’re not how much money you have in the bank. You are not the car you drive. You’re not the contents of your wallet. You are not your fucking khakis. You are all singing, all dancing crap of the world.”
One user commented on an Instagram post, which compared the dialogues, saying, “Every masterpiece has its cheap copy.” The similarity between the two dialogues is clear. As both lines talk about questioning what makes us who we are. They tell us to look beyond what society expects and what we own.
Barbie Actually Reinvented Fight Club‘s Key Message for Modern Audiences
In the film, Ken faces a big problem—he realizes he only knows himself through Barbie. As his whole identity is tied to impressing her and other Kens.
But when Barbie keeps turning down his advances, he starts to think. He realizes that being with her isn’t everything. The fictional boyfriend begins to see that there’s more to life than just trying to be with Barbie.
Barbie advice is about being true to yourself. It reminds that one is more than just their possessions, jobs, or what others expect from them. It’s a strong message for everyone, showing that everyone has the power to choose their own identities.
Watch both Barbie and Fight Club on Amazon Prime Video.
