In a surprising turn of events, Greta Gerwig and Margot Robbie were snubbed for Best Director and Best Actress in a Leading Role, respectively, at the upcoming 96th Academy Awards. This unexpected development has sparked widespread debate and dominated conversations leading up to the Oscars. Ironically, this snub bears a striking resemblance to the plot of the film Barbie, where Gerwig and Robbie's characters are overlooked while Ryan Gosling receives a nomination for Best Actor in a Supporting Role.
To further fuel the discourse, the Oscars have released a promotional video featuring Barbie's Ryan Gosling reacting with shock and horror upon learning about Gerwig's snub. Hosted by Jimmy Kimmel and aired during Jimmy Kimmel Live!, the video embraces the controversy rather than shying away from it. The star-studded video also includes appearances by Kate McKinnon as Weird Barbie, America Ferrera delivering a parody of her iconic speech from the film, narration by Helen Mirren, and numerous references to the other Best Picture nominees within the vibrant and fantastical world of Barbieland.
Despite the buzz surrounding Gerwig and Robbie's snubs, Barbie managed to secure a staggering eight Oscar nominations, including Best Picture. America Ferrera received a well-deserved nomination for Best Actress in a Supporting Role, while the film also received nods for Best Production Design, Best Costume Design, and Best Adapted Screenplay. Additionally, two songs from Barbie, namely 'What Was I Made For?' and 'I'm Just Ken,' received nominations for Best Original Song.
Although Barbie is considered a dark horse in the Best Picture category, with Oppenheimer being the favorite, the film has already defied expectations throughout its journey. Robert Downey Jr. and Da'Vine Joy Randolph are front-runners in the supporting actor and actress categories respectively, while Ryan Gosling himself acknowledges in the promotional video that he is not likely to win. However, Ferrera's nomination, unfortunately overshadowed by the discourse surrounding Gerwig and Robbie, could emerge as a surprise victor, particularly if Randolph doesn't seize the win.
One undeniable aspect of Barbie's success lies in its awe-inspiring production designs. The film beautifully brings Barbieland to life, mesmerizing viewers with its stunning visuals. The intricately designed costumes worn by the diverse array of Barbies, Kens, and supporting characters, including Allan and Midge, further add to the film's visual appeal. With its two nominations for Best Original Song, Barbie emerges as a strong contender in that category, with both songs gaining significant cultural relevance.
It's noteworthy that unlike the other nominees in the Best Adapted Screenplay category, Barbie stands out as it is not directly adapted from any pre-existing source material. Instead, it draws inspiration solely from the existing Barbie toy line, which sets it apart from its competition.
If you haven't already, you can catch Barbie streaming on Max, immersing yourself in its captivating world before the highly anticipated 96th Academy Awards ceremony, scheduled for March 10, 2024. This prestigious event, often hailed as the pinnacle of recognition in the film industry, will be hosted by the ever-charming Jimmy Kimmel and will undoubtedly be a night filled with anticipation, surprises, and celebration of the cinematic arts.
