Margot Robbie starrer Barbie was no less than a cultural and cinematic phenomenon coupled with Christopher Nolan’s Oppenheimer. Even though both movies were exemplary, the Greta Gerwig-directed flick turned out to be one of the biggest movies ever and shocked the world as it went on to break numerous records.
While Gerwig and Robbie have been the recipients of countless praise and commendation from fans, critics, and fellow industry men, Hollywood legend Meryl Streep has joined to claim the pink-filled adventure-saved movies and all of our jobs.
Meryl Streep Lauds Barbie For Saving Movies And Jobs
It is no secret that the Covid-19 pandemic was disastrous for the movie business and the film industry as a whole. The aftermath of the pandemic is still being felt and it will take another few years for the industry to recover and reach its pre-pandemic levels, especially as it has the actors and writers strike to recover from as well (via LA Times).
While the industry works to revive itself, movies like Barbie have been instrumental in pushing industrial growth on the right path and drawing an audience crowd reminiscent of the pre-pandemic days. So when Meryl Streep took the stage at this year’s Palm Springs Film Awards, the Hollywood legend went on to thank the movie and its crew for quite literally saving the industry.
Taking the stage right after Billie Eilish and Finneas as they received an award for their Barbie soundtrack, Streep stated (via Variety),
“I just want to say to Billie and Finneas that you have delivered the ‘Barbie’ love bomb. You’ve saved the movies last summer and all of our jobs. You’ve delivered joy to countless generations and genders of people, and you should surf that wave, kids, until you’re old and deserve to be jaded like me.”
Well, the star wasn’t entirely wrong for the Margot Robbie starrer movie has been leading the awards race and the Barbie phenomenon is far from over.
Did Margot Robbie’s Barbie Really Save The Industry?
When Barbie and Oppenheimer were released simultaneously on the same day during the summer box office, no one had expected how big of an event it would be. Margot Robbie’s $1.4 billion movie went on to become the highest-grossing film of last year as well as the highest-grossing film of Warner Bros. ever.
Not only did the movie save the summer box office despite the strikes being at large around that time, but it also snatched out the audience that many claimed had disappeared after the pandemic. While it is true that movies have been underperforming lately, Barbie proved that the audience needs innovation and something new.
Barbie’s success also proves that the audience is no longer interested in or driven by the conventional narratives that promote themes of patriarchy and masculinity, instead their perspectives have evolved and diversified. Thus, its success has also been a huge sign and should give enough impetus for the industry to tackle similar themes and diversify its delivery if it really wants to bring the pre-pandemic success back.
Barbie can be rented on Amazon Prime.
