Greta Gerwig’s hit 2023 blockbuster Barbie has become a cultural sensation since its release and is now in the race to win the Oscar for Best Picture at the 96th Academy Awards. The film has garnered an impressive eight Oscar nominations, with America Ferrera, who played Gloria, earning a nod for Best Supporting Actress, alongside Ryan Gosling in the running for Best Supporting Actor. Margot Robbie, however, has been unable to secure a nomination.
Greta Gerwig received recognition for Best Adapted Screenplay but was notably absent from the Best Director category. It has disappointed many fans, coupled with skepticism about Ferrera’s nomination, with some asserting that her performance in the film did not deserve an Oscar nomination.
Read More: “I’m Disappointed”: Ryan Gosling Stands With Greta Gerwig And Margot Robbie After Oscar Snub
Fans Express Disappointment With America Ferrera’s Oscar-Nomination
Starring alongside Margot Robbie in the 2023 fantasy comedy film Barbie, America Ferrera earned critical acclaim for her work in the movie, particularly for the monologue that she delivers near the end of the film. The monologue, addressing the contradictions of womanhood, has been hailed as an inspiring piece.
However, some express dissatisfaction with Ferrera’s overall performance, asserting that the monologue could have been more compelling if executed by Margot Robbie. Now, with Ferrera securing an Oscar nomination for her performance, discussions have started about how the actress did not give an Oscar-nomination-worthy performance in Barbie.
I’ve seen more inspirational speeches from Optimus Prime.
— Peach (@mythbandit) January 24, 2024
Then nominate the WRITERS. Her acting was…tv series level in all other parts. Not bad but not great
— Lala (@Lala_Leitura) January 23, 2024
Good writing does not make an actor Oscar worthy
— deringoy (@stuffandthingaj) January 24, 2024
Then the writer should get an Oscar because any actress could’ve delivered it like she did
— Fullmoonwerewolf (@GlossingerOwen) January 23, 2024
The speech was heavy handed and hurt the movie by hitting the audience over the head with the point until we stopped twitching.
— Allison🐀 (@FireflyAllie) January 23, 2024
Really? We are talking about the 'cognitive dissonance' speech, right? The one that just repeated all the points feminists have been making for years? The movie was fine and so was the speech, but it wasn't really groundbreaking, was it?
— Shirokazesan (@shirokazesan) January 23, 2024
The speech was good, but that was mostly the writing. Her performance didn't really elevate it at all, I would have preferred to see Margot deliver it
— ConfusedBeluga (@confusedbeluga) January 24, 2024
Many argue that if the nomination centers around the impactful monologue in the movie, credit should be attributed to the writers rather than to Ferrera. Many even claimed that they“have seen more inspirational speeches from Optimus Prime.” Some contend that her acting in the scene was deemed “not bad but not great,” sparking debates over the justification of the nomination.
America Ferrera Reacts to Her First Oscar-Nomination
America Ferrera has earned her first Oscar nomination for the 2023 film Barbie and the actress has expressed disbelief at the reality of the moment. “I still haven’t really been able to get in my feelings because I’m still on like the top layer of ‘I can’t even believe that this is real,” she said as per Variety.
While Barbie received multiple nominations, including Best Picture, Best Adapted Screenplay, Best Supporting Actor, Best Costume Design, Best Production Design, and Best Original Song for I’m Just Ken and What Was I Made For, notable omissions include Margot Robbie, who did not secure a spot on the list. Greta Gerwig, nominated for Best Adapted Screenplay, missed out on a nomination in the Best Director category.
Expressing her disappointment, Ferrera remarked, “I was incredibly disappointed that they weren’t nominated.” Barbie represented a potential second Oscar nomination for Gerwig and a third for Robbie, who was also considered a leading contender for the Best Actress Oscar at the 96th Academy Awards.
Barbie is available to stream on Max.
