The Shape of Water (2017)

When ‘The Shape of Water’ was released, I was intrigued all because of a meme I received from a Bengali friend.

“Shape of water, a film about a human falling in love with a fish is being universally called a cinematic brilliance but when Bengalis do the same thing, suddenly it is ‘stereotypical’ and maccher jhol Bengali pagol”

I couldn’t stop laughing when I received the meme, and as I was slowly recovering from yet another episode, I missed watching the movie. I may have looked up the Wikipedia entry once.

I maintain a list of ‘Best Picture’ from the Oscars and Golden Globes, and recently found the movie on OTT and watched it in 3-4 sittings. I no longer mind watching a movie for a bit and then returning to it when I find the time.

Set in the 1960s in North America during the Cold war, the fantasy movie has a mute female protagonist who communicates fluently via sign language, and gets acquainted with a humanoid amphibian at a laboratory. The Amphibian Man has healing powers and has been forcibly brought in from South America. She feeds him, and slowly forms a romantic, reciprocal bond with him. The development of the bond is beautiful to watch as the Amphibian Man also cannot speak, and both rely on their body language to communicate. She understands him, and doesn’t react with anger (for instance) when she finds him devouring a cat of her closeted gay neighbour. This neighbour plays a pivotal role in helping her rescue the Amphibian Man, and in her happy-ever-after ending.

What I also found beautiful is the portrayal of disability, and how it doesn’t prevent her from leading a normal life. She has a close friend at work who is unconditionally supportive, she opposes harassment – the harasser’s portrayal is particularly convincing - and she stands up for what she believes in.

The movie has many nude scenes, and while initially it seemed completely out of context and unnecessary, as the story builds on, they start to make more sense. I wonder if the scenes were retained when the movie was released in India. 

I still think ‘Lady Bird’ is a better movie from 2017, but it is good to see fantasy rewarded by the Oscars.

Barbie (2023)

After watching the movie today, when I looked up ‘Barbie’ on Google, I was delighted to find my mobile screen turn pink. There were pink sparkles followed by a baby pink shade on the webpages. It was delightful and unexpected, and a marketing idea that I liked. Go ahead, do search!

Like many girls, I too have childhood memories of playing with a Barbie doll; in my case, they are hazy memories. Between the sibling, my mother and me, we could piece together the relationship. The sibling and I had bought the doll with our pocket money – I could recollect we had to pool around Rs. 300 to do this – and later we gave her away to someone in the extended family. She – the family member - is of my age, so I can’t fathom why we did this. Barbie didn’t exactly influence me though. I liked how well the clothes fit her, and I remember more than one outfit. I also remember her being blonde, and well-endowed. I didn’t know about the stereotypes associated with either factor. In fact, even as a teenager when I heard 'Barbie Girl' by Aqua, the stereotypes remained unknown.

When ‘Barbie’ released, I knew I wanted to watch it for two reasons – Greta Gerwig and Ryan Gosling. I stayed away from watching the trailer, reading reviews and was happy to see that the movie was being touted as a feminist take – something I have come to expect from Greta.

The movie is set in ‘Barbie-land’ where different versions of Barbie live along with their boyfriend Ken. In the matriarchal world, Barbie calls the shots. She has her own place, spends nights with girlfriends and doesn’t get physical with Ken. Ken is a suitable bachelor, but Barbie isn’t interested in taking things ahead. What she does believe is this – “It is the best day ever. So was yesterday. And so is tomorrow and every day from now until forever.”

The Barbie version leading the story is the stereotypical Barbie, and when she suddenly finds herself talking about death and cellulite, she is asked to visit Weird Barbie. She gets to know that one of the girls who owns her is causing this distress, and she needs to visit the Real World to know why.

Accompanied by Ken – well, he insists on being there – she visits and to her shock, discovers how patriarchy works. Ken, to his utter delight, discovers how patriarchy works. Watch the movie to know what happens post that.

The overall casting and narration is perfect and I loved how Gosling played Ken. There is music (Dua Lipa!) and choreographed dance, and I love that he likes being part of such set-ups – it reminded me of ‘La La Land’. I have believed matriarchy too has ills, and the movie touches upon this idea. The women are wonderful and closely knit and somehow racially sensitive, and yet don’t hesitate in isolating the older Weird Barbie. Depressed Barbie left me with myriad thoughts – how did she find the energy to watch TV?

:)

The theatre had more school-going girls than usual, and I found it sweet to see one of them accompanied by only her father. Perhaps they chatted about the movie on their way back. The movie made me curious about Mattel’s financials, and whether the movie will have a positive impact on them. It was also good to know a bit more about the creator of Barbie, the doll.

Watch the movie. It is a delight, and I hope it does well at the Golden Globes – Musical or Comedy section.