OPEN
BARBIE
Written by Greta Gerwig & Noah Baumbach
BARBIE
Written by Greta Gerwig & Noah Baumbach
Like Kubrick’s 2001, but with little girls, not apes. And with baby dolls, not sticks and stuff.
These little girls rock their baby dolls, they burp them, they cuddle them: They pretend to be Moms.
One of the girls looks UP.
Something has appeared in their midst. Something NEW. It’s a GIANT BARBIE DOLL - BARBIE MARGOT, the 1950s Barbie, with her black and white swimsuit and lipstick.
The girls react with awe.
They’re stirred up and excited by this Barbie Margot not unlike the apes in that Kubrick masterpiece. They try to touch her, and one little girl starts smashing her baby doll against the ground until it breaks into pieces. She lets out a child’s howl!
One by one the little girls follow suit: whooping, screaming, throwing their baby dolls away in fits of joyful anger.
A final little girl throwsher baby doll up in the air, and it is spinning, spinning - with a match cut to:
BARBIE
Barbie stands in a empty space of the soon-to-be formed Barbie Land - it’s a void, a limbo - but clearly in a film studio. The World of Barbie is a Technicolor Soundstage.
2.2.
We go through all the changes to Barbie Margot, as she moves through the decades.
We see a row of Barbies. As we move back we see that “Barbie” is a EVERY different kind of woman -- every profession, every ethnicity, every body shape, every different ability and every gift. As we pan by each one, we hear:
We see a Map with Barbie Land on it and a long red arrow is drawn across a split screen to the Real World.
Girls playing with the different dolls. The girls allmirror what their Barbie is. So the doctor is the doctor, the ballerina is the ballerina, etc.
Finally, we see a vast sea of Barbies. All in different outfits, different hairstyles, adding new friends, speaking different languages. And now Barbie’s world gets continually multi-faceted and wide-ranging and diverse and interesting.
3.3.
We float above the Barbies into the clouds, then we descend to earth, to see, just below the clouds and above land, the heart-shaped BARBIE LAND.
Barbie Margot wakes up in her pink Dreamhouse. Everything is perfect. Of course. This whole sequence is like a movie- musical of the best life ever.
There are no walls just like the toy so Barbie Margot can wave across to another Barbie waking up in her Dreamhouse next door.
In every OTHER Dreamhouse, all the Barbies are havingtheir perfect morning. It’s a Barbie Ballet.
Barbie Margot steps out of her heels, revealing her permanently arched feet.
Barbie Margot stands under the shower head, but nothing comes out, she turns her head this way and that, as if thereis water but there is nothing. Her hair looks amazing anyway.
She opens an AMAZING closet and then magically steps out with a new, perfect outfit!
Barbie takes her slide down to the pool. Because she can!
She eats a nothing breakfast, drinks a big glass of nothing.
Barbie Margot stands at the top floor of her house, waves to her friends and then improbably sails through the air and lands in the driver’s seat of her car.
4.4.
Behind her, Barbie Alexandra ALSO sails through the air and lands in HER dream car.
Barbie Margot drives and waves at Skipper in the doorway of her treehouse.
Midge appears in Skipper’s yard, aggressively waving at Barbie Margot.
Barbie Margot waves happily, sometimes with both hands, to other Barbies as her car silently drives itself through a bustling town. It’s like Richard Scarry’s Busy Town for Barbie. It’s a wonder of color and shape. The houses are all see-through, like the toys, it’s a Noah’s Ark of doll-tastic magic.
It’s also completely run by women. They hold every kind of job. Barbie Margot waves to a Barbie mail carrier, and anall Barbie construction crew. There is the occasional Ken, but mostly it’s Barbie.
Barbie Margot drives past the Barbie White House which is, of course, pink.
Barbie Issa Rae, president (maybe in a ball gown?!) signs a bill into law, surrounded by Barbie Congresswomen. Barbie Margot stands with the press, proud.
5.5.
Barbie Issa looks to the Barbies around her:
Hugs, sweetness, support. It is REALLY great here.
A big ceremony, very official, proper. A Barbie Dignitary (in another flouncy ballgown) presides:
It’s Reporter Barbie! Woohoo! Barbie Margot leaps to her feet, deeply proud.
It’s Barbie Alexandra Shipp! Barbie Margot claps and hoots from the audience. She’s so proud of her friends.
Barbie Sharon argues a case passionately in front of the Supreme Court, all Barbies.
6.6.
The Gallery erupts into rapturous applause. Some Kens are there for support.
The Chief Justice Barbie hits her gavel, but she can’t help but smile. Barbie Margot is there, always cheering on, always the supporter.
Barbie Margot drives past the BAX airport and an airplane passes overhead, we move up, and the female pilot waves down -
- the airplane wipes and we keep moving up to find:
Astronaut Barbie floats around in space. High fives with another Astronaut Barbie. Wave down to Barbie Margot, too!
Barbie Margot waves up at the astronauts.
Finally she passes and salutesBarbie Mt. Rushmore.
Remember this!
7.7.
Barbie Margot drives up & hits the beach. This is semi-epic, almost somber in it’s initial grandeur.
Ken Ryan Gosling holds a surf board and stands atop of a dune. He’s waiting for his Barbie, Barbie Margot.
Barbie Margot turns and smiles.
All the Barbies we just saw are now at the beach - they are all everything. Barbie Margot says Hi to Barbies and Ken - or, rather, the Multiplicity of Kens!
Ken Ryan Gosling groans, waving his hand in dismissal.
8.8.
Everyone says “Hi Barbie” and “Hi Ken” over and over to each other. Way out in the sea, a few Mermaid Barbies emerge:
And there’s Allan in his striped shirt. Everything stops.
On shore, Ken Ryan Gosling comes sprinting down the sand.
Ken Ryan Gosling, who seems to only exist when Barbie is paying attention to him, runs into the surf, like INTO it, and flies backward, head over heels, into the air with his surfboard and...lands HARD.
9.9.
Barbie Margot and her other Barbie friends jump up and swiftly coordinate a rescue mission, while the other Kens stand around helplessly. Ken Kingsley protects his ice creams.
Barbie Margot and Barbie Ana lift Ken up.
Meanwhile, Ken Simu laughs derisively:
10.10.
Ken Simu backs off as Ken Ryan collapses into Barbie Margot.
An ambulance pulls up, and FOLDS OUT INTO A HOSPITAL ROOM.
Ken Ryan is put on a stretcher and hurried across the beach.
Barbie Alexandra now in her “Doctor” outfit, tends to a small scratch, while Barbie Hari, also in her “Doctor” outfit, looks at the results of some x-rays. Barbie Margot stands by.
BARBIE ALEXANDRA KEN RYAN GOSLING
Very common. Because my job is actually
just, you know, Beach.
11.11.
He leaps off the table and does an “action man” pose. Then:
Barbie Margot and Barbie Alexandra share a look.
Barbie Margot has a big block party with all her Barbie friends, plus Allan and Midge (whom we stay away from!)
DJ BARBIE turns up a song (which is theAMAZING ORIGINAL HIT SONG FOR THIS MOVIE) and there is a GIANT gorgeous musical number, starring the Barbies! With Kens as dancing decoration! It’s fun and sweeping and funny and a real toe- tapper all around.
Ken Simu joins Barbie Margot for part of the dance, stoking Ken Ryan Gosling’s ire, who is held back, in a dancing way, by Ken Kingsley.
Ken Ryan Gosling jumps up and tries to breakdance badly. Ken Kingsley joins in for moral support..
Ken Simu does a flip on the dance floor. Ken Ryan Gosling is enraged.
12.12.
Barbie Margot turns and dances with her friends whom she’d much rather be dancing with anyway. This leaves the Kens all dancing together, which is just obviously funny.
Shouting over the music and dancing, Barbie Margot and friends appreciate how terrific everything is:
Dancing and shouting and so happy it almost hurts:
Suddenly, as the flip side of the coin of this thought:
Literal record scratch and everything is quiet. All the Barbies and Kens look at her. She’s broken the movie.
13.13.
There is panic in Barbie Margot’s eyes as she starts maniacally dancing, doing about eight different dance moves from over the decades, starting with the Twist, going through disco, punk, break dancing, etc.
The music picks back up, and she is relieved, although troubled by what just happened. She shakes it off, and continues to party. Maybe there is nothing wrong!
LATER THAT EVENING...
After their fun party, Barbie Margot and Ken Ryan Gosling stand in the moonlight. Ken leans forward for a goodnight kiss. He gets part of the way there and then pulls back.
She’s smiling her gorgeous smile. Not mean, just truthful.
14.14.
We cut to the other side of them to reveal that all of Barbie Margot’s friends are there, watching it all unfold.
She runs back to her friends. They scream and are THRILLED. Phew, Ken was a LOT!
And then he leaves, thank goodness. She likes Ken, but she needs her space!
Barbie Margot tucks herself into bed:
15.15.
Her eyes fly open - she IS THOUGH.
MORNING! Barbie opens her eyes, ready for an amazing day. But something is off, she can feel it - she feels groggy, her eyes don’t want to open. She stretches, stiff from sleeping.
She makes a face, cups her hands and smells her breath. YUCK!
She brushes her teeth with nothing, but the gesture makes a difference.
Same shower situation, but suddenly Barbie YELPS and leaps out of the way of the non-water.
How was the water that isn’t even there COLD?! She adjusts the knobs and then steps back under the non-water. Better.
KITCHEN
Same breakfast situation, but the plastic waffle is burnt - how is that even possible? She pours milk into a glass (which is nothing) and drinks. Spits it out. Looks at the container.
Barbie Margot turns and sees (because remember there are no walls) another Barbie at her breakfast table, who smiles and waves. Barbie Margot tries to muscle through it - she’s going to try to smile her way out of this, darn it!
But what is this new feeling? Is it... shame?
Barbie Margot stands at the edge of the roof, waiting to be flown into her car, and she leans into the air and...
FALLS. Just belly flops into the air.
She pops up out from behind her car, trying to save face, waving.
16.16.
People look at her curiously. What is wrong with her?
Barbie Margot and Co. all hang out together on the beach. It’s pretty fun, but notperfect fun.
The Barbies play a wicked game of Beach Volleyball while the Kens cheer (like reverse Top Gun,remember this).
Everyone else laughs earnestly but when Barbie Margot tries, it’s forced.
Something is wrong. Why can’t she really laugh?
Barbie Margot steps up on her tip-toes and wobbles weirdly on the sand. She can’t hold it any longer, her foot cramps and she topples to the ground. She looks down and discovers that her feet are - SHOCK! HORROR! -No longer arched!!!
She’s just got big ole flat feet. She gasps and tries to crawl herself to the beach bench. Barbie Alexandra, Barbie Hari, Barbie Sharon, Barbie Emma and Barbie Ana rush over:
BARBIE HARI BARBIE MARGOT
Fell?! (looking around)
I’m so... embarrassed.
17.17.
Barbie Hari throws up nothing. Same with Barbie Alexandra. Ken Kingsley joins in, throwing up nothing.
The Barbies ignore him.
Barbie Alexandra gasps, hand over mouth.
18.18.
CUT TO: The REAL WORLD with a little girl doing that thing we all do to our Barbies at some point. She snips off her hair, colors her face with marker, lights her hair on fire, puts her in the splits and drop kicks her into her toy bin.
BACK TO: Barbie Margot looking concerned. Barbie Hari is in a trance of the Legend of Weird Barbie:
EXT/INT. WEIRD BARBIE’S WEIRDHOUSE. DAY
Barbie Margot climbs the seemingly never-ending stairs up to the Weirdhouse. It’s like an abstract art version of every girl’s Dreamhouse after she’s played with it for years. Think Jeff Koons, Gaudi, Murakami all put in a blender.
Barbie Margot steps gingerly in, looking around.
19.19.
Barbie Margot frowns. A dog (Tanner) passes by and poops out little plastic pellets. Barbie Margot steps around them.
A pool of light illuminates Weird Barbie - she’s in the splits, has an unintentionally asymmetrical short haircut and mismatched clothes. She’s like David Bowie + a hairless cat.
Weird Barbie hitches her leg down and lopes oddly into a giant room. Maybe she does a flip or two.
20.20.
She claps her open hands together like the way little kids mash Barbies together. Barbie Margot watches with horror. It goes on too long and then stops as suddenly as it started:
Weird Barbie looks at her horrified. Small voice:
WEIRD BARBIE BARBIE MARGOT
Oh. What?!
21.21.
She does. Ack! A dimple.
With that, Weird Barbie turns and travels through her house, up and over all of the strange architecture. Barbie Margot tries to keep up.
Weird Barbie goes through the mess around her, finding a technical drawing which she refers to briefly and then gets tired and throws it back on the stack.
22.22.
Weird Barbie holds her hands out: this is a Matrix moment where Barbie Margot is offered two different versions of life, i.e. red pill and blue pill, except for Weird Barbie holds a high-heeled shoe in one hand and a Birkenstock sandal in the other. Very dramatic, full of meaning and moodiness.
23.23.
Breaking the “mysterious” spell, Barbie Margot answers instantly and with too much chipper energy:
24.24.
Weird Barbie turns away. On Barbie Margot. She summons all her bravery. She wants to meet the moment.
Weird Barbie laughs, and then opens a toy-manual.
We see the different vehicles as she rattles off:
Weird Barbie takes a swig from a flask with nothing in it (of course), presentation done. After all the energy she now seems tired of this whole business, and hurries Barbie Margot out.
25.25.
Barbie Margot screams.
Barbie Margot screams again.
Barbie Margot’s having a send off party with all of the Barbies - there is a big banner that reads:
“Bon Voyage to Reality and Good Luck Restoring The Membrane That Separates Our World From Theirs So You Don’t Get Cellulite!”
The Kens all stand to the side, a bit like men at a baby shower. There, but not. Ken Ryan Gosling and Ken Simu do a jealous mingle.
26.26.
Barbie gathers around her car with her friends.
Back to the Kens. The other group of Kens are playing a very mysterious game which appears to be mostly guessing:
Back to the Barbies: all the Barbies finish bringing her stuff to the car.
27.27.
Barbie Margot hops in her convertible, waving and driving off into the sunset.
Barbie Margot drives and sings along SUPER LOUD to Indigo Girls “Closer to Fine,” which for some reason they have in Barbie Land. She’s loving this adventure, actually!
Ken Ryan Gosling pops up in the backseat singing and Barbie Margot screams her head off and he screams at her screaming. They skid off the road, flipping over a few times and then landing upright in the desert.
28.28.
Still hysterical:
BARBIE MARGOT KEN RYAN GOSLING
Ken’s not cool! HE IS TO ME!
She thinks, and then relents.
29.29.
He accepts this, and they’re OFF! Dramatic music as they go through all the different kinds of transportation.
Sports Car - back in their car and on the ROAD! Into...
Speed Boat - Barbie drives the speedboat while Ken hides from a seagull.
Rocket Ship - Barbie and Ken wear space suits and ride a rocket, which makes zero sense.
Tandem Bike - through the prairie OR the French Alps? Barbie on the front of the bike, Ken behind.
Camper Van - In a National Park they screech to a stop, jump off their bikes, and set up a little grill. Ken flips a burger while Barbie chills out in a lawn chair, reading a tabloid.
Snowmobile - BACK TO THE ACTION! - Ken hangs on to Barbie for dear life as she catches air over slaloms.
Rollerblades - Finally they are in the sunny state of California, in the town of LA, on the boardwalk of Venice Beach - wearing rollerblades.
Barbie Margot wears a bikini and Ken wears a onesie. They’re openly getting a lot of looks. Just the two of them in REAL Los Angeles is genuinely strange and hilarious. They appear as extremely good-looking aliens.
Ken smiles and waves loving all of this, but Barbie Margot looks confused bordering on anxious.
Note: this is more real than Barbie Land but still heightened, like a 1980s comedy - slightly exaggerated. Like there is no way Ferris Bueller sang the Beatles at that German parade, but we allow it because it’s fun. Same here.
30.30.
People are laughing and pointing and amused and also leering.
Ken winks at someone who winks back.
Up ahead is a construction site, workers on break for lunch.
But as they get closer, it’s not what she thought. Construction workers eat sandwiches and cat-call Barbie.
CONSTRUCTION WORKER 1 CONSTRUCTION WORKER 3 Do fries come with that Have I died and gone to shake? heaven because you’re an
angel.
CONSTRUCTION WORKER 2 CONSTRUCTION WORKER 4 If I said you had a hot body, Is that a mirror in your would you hold it against me? pocket? ‘Cause I can see
myself in your pants!
31.31.
The Construction Workers look at them blankly and then shrug, unbothered. This is Los Angeles after all, live and let live!
They’re actually very sweet guys. She blades away as Ken Ryan Gosling tries to impress the construction workers.
He catches up to Barbie Margot.
There’s a slight moment here. Like maybe he’s ON to something... But they’re distracted as they pass a large billboard advertising The Miss Universe Contest:
Another Beach dude passes by and slaps Barbie Margot on the ass. Barbie Margot punches him in the face. Ken screams.
Barbie Margot and Ken Ryan Gosling’s mug shots.
32.32.
Then they are being finger printed. Over and over again because the cops can’t find any prints. The cops drool over Barbie Margot:
POLICEMAN #2 I love the elbow pads.
Ken Ryan Gosling exits wearing all denim with fringe and a cowboy hat, followed by Barbie Margot, who wears a pink cowgirl outfit. ALL the security lights and bells go, but they are oblivious.
A Security Guard rushes after them, panicked.
They give chase!
Barbie Margot and Ken Ryan, getting finger printed. The male cops are still leering.
POLICE MAN #2 She’s even sexierin clothes.
POLICE MAN #2 You know what? Keep ‘em!
33.33.
Barbie Margot and Ken Ryan Gosling emerge into the midday LA sun, wearing their stolen/gifted clothes.
Barbie sits down on a bench, almost like she’s meditating.
She closes her eyes. Ken Ryan Gosling gets all antsy like a kid, unable to sit still.
He makes faces, then goes for a walk.
Ken Ryan Gosling walks under a sign for: CENTURY CITY. He looks up: A tall building looms over him and he starts putting together the world a little bit. He sees:
- A gym, full of men.
- A man in a mink.
- A policeman on a horse.
34.34.
- A Hummer, stuffed to the brim with businessmen.
- Generic men in business suits shaking hands having generic business conversations.
A female secretary tries to come up and tell her boss something, he holds up his hand to stop her:
She backs away, submissive, as they all shake madly. Ken Ryan cannot believe what he’s seeing. Are they more powerful than she is?? How is this possible?
Ken Ryan Gosling rides an escalator up to a giant video screen, playing images of Big Man Stuff:
- Money, Presidents, Golf videos, mini-fridges, a bunch of dudes working out at the gym. Men in sports, men as statues, men in paintings, important men in photographs, the Greased Lightening scene from Grease, all culminating in Sylvester Stallone in a mink coat.
- MEN EVERYWHERE and then just another horse and then MORE MEN EVERYWHERE!
Barbie Margot still sitting on the bench, breathes in and out, and sees:
Glimpses of A Girl, maybe a pigtail, some chipped nail polish. She’s “Shining” or something like that. But without the horror!
- The Girl laughing with her Mom, eating ice cream.
- The Girl opening the door saying “Mom, I had a bad dream.”
- The Girl playing Barbies with her Mom - her Mom shows her a Barbie idea sketch and the girl applauds.
- The Girl is getting older, moving away when her Mom tries to show affection.
- The Girl plops a box of her Barbies and Barbie accessories in front of her Mom, clearly marked “Goodwill.”
35.35.
- The Mom sadly drops her daughter off at school, and when she tries to wave at her, the Girl pretends not to see her. It’s junior high. Everyone is their worst self in junior high.
CLOSE on Barbie Margot, a tear rolls down her face.
Barbie opens her eyes. She wipes the tear from her face. She looks down at the moisture in her hand. She’s never cried before.
Barbie Margot looks around - across the street she sees a park, filled with mundane and beautiful and funny and sad moments of every day life.
- A young couple with a baby.
- Kids playing tag.
- A teen girl crying and being comforted by another girl.
- Best friends laughing together.
- A middle aged couple walking hand in hand.
- Three friends in an argument.
- An old man feeds the birds.
- Someone reading a book.
- A man with a child.
- Guys kicking a ball around.
- 20-somethings arguing.
- A young man who looks like he’s been crying.
Next to her an Older Woman sits on a bench, reading. Barbie studies her for a moment.
Barbies don’t get old, so this is something she doesn’t have experience with. The woman, as if she can feel Barbie’s gaze on her, looks up. They meet eyes. The Older Woman nods in greeting.
36.36.
They laugh, it’s lovely.
Ken runs up to her, breaking the moment.
She turns to him, and he and Barbie excitedly say:
KEN RYAN GOSLING BARBIE MARGOT
I’ve got it! I’ve got it!
KEN RYAN GOSLING BARBIE MARGOT
Men rule the world! She’s at school!
BARBIE MARGOT KEN RYAN GOSLING
But what did you ? -- -- Nothing, doesn’t matter,
let’s go to the SCHOOL!
They both run off together, and Barbie sneaks a glance back, but the old woman is back to reading her newspaper, the moment has passed.
An imposing, many floored building. Masculine. STRONG.
A phone is ringing from somewhere. We BOOM DOWN from the top floor ALL THE WAY DOWN --
37.37.
An endless forest of cubicles.
Split screen with:
Men in those aviators for no reason, pictures on cork boards.
AARON DINKINS DAN AT THE FBI
I mean, not really an-- Two of your dolls have gotten
loose!
Sweating bullets, he hangs up the phone.
38.38.
Another younger employee peers over the top of his cubicle:
Popping up from ANOTHER cubicle, three cubicles away:
AN EVEN YOUNGER MATTEL EMPLOYEE What?! When?!
He takes a deep breath and steps into the elevator. Floors tick by 99, 100, 101. Walks briskly down a huge hallway.
CLOSE on some sketches of Barbie. But these Barbies look distressed, mascara running down her cheeks from crying. She wears the identical clothes to Barbie Margot.
A woman, Gloria, sits at a reception desk. She’s in her late 30s, but has something of the kid in her, a pair of pink shoes? We love her!She is drawing the sketch.
Gloria has an old Barbie on her desk whichresembles Barbie Margot. And next to that aphoto of her daughter. She’s singing “Closer to Fine” to herself.
39.39.
Aaron stops at the desk. Gloria is so lost in her drawing she doesn’t see him. He clears his throat.
He snaps his fingers. She shakes her head and looks at him.
She hands them to him.
RECEPTIONIST/GLORIA They’re in a big corporate ideas sesh. No one is to be admitted--
But Aaron is walking toward the door.
RECEPTIONIST/GLORIA (stage whisper) AARON stop it!...
He opens a door to a giant PINK GLITTERY board room. It’s like the inside of a 5 year old girl’s sparkly heart.
40.40.
He doesn’t wait for an answer, already so pumped to say:
A table of men turns around all at once. They’re all wearing suits but it somehow feels like tuxedos.
Aaron Dinkins leans in and whispers something to the Mattel Executive #1. He’sashen. He turns and whispers to the man next to him and each man in turn reacts and whispers to the man next to him. Finally, the CEO listens with shock:
They all react. The Mattel CEO stands up, dramatically.
41.41.
CUT TO: Gloria listens outside the conference room doors. She shakes her head, doing some insane calculation.
We CUT BACK inside the BOARD ROOM:
MATTEL EXECUTIVE #2 We’ve got a definite situation on our hands.
42.42.
Barbie Margot and Ken Ryan Gosling approach the school. Barbie Margot sticks out even more here, as the kids are all wearing dark colors trying not to be noticed. You know, Junior High School.
Kids are running everywhere. Barbie Margot and Ken Ryan Gosling try to not look sketchy.
They pass the library and Ken says, kind of suspiciously:
43.43.
Barbie scans all the different girls’ faces and then BAM - like Roy Scheider in “JAWS” seeing that kid getting eaten - she sees her Girl, the one from her vision!
Her Girl is sitting in a VERY prominent table with a group of other pretty 13 year old girls. She’s clearly popular. They all have Hydroflasks, big t-shirts, scrunchies, Mario Badescu Or whatever kids are into after this pandemic!
She begins to walk towards the girl but is interrupted by:
Indicating the one she thinks is HER girl:
44.44.
And then she goes up to talk to Sasha, and all these 13-year- old queen bees turn to look at her. NOTE: this is the opposite of what Barbie (and we!) think will happen.
Sasha and her friends stare at Barbie Margot, stunned:
They burst out with lots of mean laughter, unable to stop.
POPULAR GIRL #1 POPULAR GIRL #2
Omg she’s crazy. Do you think she’s escaped
from an insane asylum?
POPULAR GIRL #3 POPULAR GIRL #2
So do you think you’re like Tell us more about how you pretty? think you’re Barbie.
POPULAR GIRL #1 You’re a Nobel Prize winner?
They all laugh in her face, again. Barbie is confused:
45.45.
POPULAR GIRL #2 Yeah. I hated dolls with hair.
POPULAR GIRL #1 I played with Barbie but it was the last resort.
POPULAR GIRL #3 I loved Barbie...
They give that girl alook.
Her friends egg her on, they know that Sasha can totally flatten someone.
POPULAR GIRL #2 POPULAR GIRL #1
Come, on Sasha. Give it to her.
POPULAR GIRL #3 Destroy Barbie.
Sasha’s verbal jabs are like a boxer relentlessly landing punches in a ring, maybe we even shoot it like Raging Bull. She is clearly sosmart and so articulate that you can’t help but admire her.
46.46.
Barbie bursts into tears and runs away. The Other Girl watches Barbie run, and just shakes her head.
We stay with Sasha for a moment, who suddenly feels bad. Under all the bravado is a lot of feeling.
MEANWHILE: Ken runs out of the school library with a bunch of books in his arms - Men & Wars, The Origins of the Patriarchy, Why Men Rule (Literally) and just one called Horses. His mind is blown.
A Female Pedestrian stops and asks, casually:
47.47.
Ken feels like he was just declared king.
QUICK IMPOSSIBLE MONTAGE:
Ken Ryan Gosling addresses a businessman.
48.48.
We watch Ken also get rejected from a DOCTOR’S OFFICE.
And even from a BEACH. A life-guard listens, perplexed.
49.49.
He points to the sand at his feet.
Ken trudges away, rejected by the life-guard.
Clutching his books, he returns to the school.
Barbie Margot is sitting in the parking lot still fully weeping from her interaction with Sasha.
Ken Ryan has arrived back at the school and approaches the same Female Pedestrian, now with her tween daughter. She’s not thrilled to see him again.
Barbie Margot is approached by bunch of CIA or FBI-looking types - dark suits, mirrored sunglasses, earpieces, but emblazoned with the Mattel Logo.
50.50.
Ken watches from a distance. He freezes.
She keeps talking as Ken has a little conversation with the Female Pedestrian.
Ken hurries off... And Sasha gets into her Mom’s car. It’s Gloria, the receptionist from Mattel! Now we get it!
51.51.
Gloria and Sasha see Barbie Margot getting into the van:
CLOSE on Gloria’s face - WHAT?! It’s 1/2 of the “love look”: she recognizes her. But although Gloria can see Barbie Margot, Barbie Margot can’t see Gloria.
... as one of the Mattel employees shuts the doors on Barbie’s friendly face, and looks around all secret-agent- like as he gets into the passenger seat and they drive off.
As the van zooms down the highway, a chipper Barbie tries to talk to the men in the car.
No one responds.
The scary black van pulls up, and Barbie steps out looking up at the giant building.
52.52.
She is escorted through the big double doors...
Barbie Margot smiles as she’s taken through the lobby and up a glass elevator and it opens on to the top floor with all the executives... And she opens the door on So Much Pink.
1/2 EXECUTIVES ALL TOGETHER Barbie! We’re so happy to see you!
THE OTHER HALF ALL TOGETHER Can we get you anything? Mineral water?
She’s handed a glass of mineral water which she turns and pours all over her open mouth and down her shirt. The lime wedge sticking to her cheek. They all stare at her.
The executives part, revealing our CEO, arms outstretched.
They all look at her blankly.
53.53.
A human-size Barbie box is wheeled out. It has the logo and plastic restraining straps and everything.
Barbie thinks for a minute. The executives all impatiently lean forward. It’s taking everything for them not to just capture her and put her in the box themselves.
WE CUT BACK TO: Ken just screaming his lungs out on the rocket going back the other direction.
BACK TO MATTEL:
They all hesitate. The male Mattel CEO raises his hand.
54.54.
But it’s another man.
EXECUTIVE #3 Er, me.
Man.
EXECUTIVE #2 Me here.
It’s another man.
EXECUTIVE #1 AARON DINKINS
Present. Um, I’m a man with no power,
does that make me a woman?
55.55.
Everyone gasps!
Barbie Margot seems unfazed, looks at the box.
One executive steps into the box and then jumps back out.
She slowly steps into the box.
The employees surround the box somewhat menacingly. A Mattel Employee grabs the plastic ties from the holes in the back of the box and pulls.
Barbie Margot feels the restraints tighten on her wrist. She hesitates, it sinking in. She pulls her wrist out quickly just as the plastic cinches. Then she jumps out of the box.
56.56.
She backs over toward the bathroom and then zigs toward the double doors of the conference room. Then she BOLTS!
A BIG CHASE through the main bullpen offices of Mattel. The CEO and all the executives hurry after her. It’s like a giant maze. Barbie Margot darts around the cubicles as employees work, people pass from cubicle to cubicle popping up and looking around, trying to spot her.
The CEO tries to scramble/climb badly over the TOP of a cubicle and topples into an employee and a computer console.
Barbie sprints toward giant double doors on the other side of the room. The Mattel Executives in hot pursuit. She hurries through the doors and shoves a broom through the handles to hold them off.
Barbie enters a big hallway with lots of doors, she tries every one, but they’re all locked. Trapped! Panicked! She hears the executives getting closer. Then one door opens...
She enters the room and shuts the door behind her.
Barbie Margot sees a woman, dressed like a mom in the 1950’s. The room we see resembles a 1950’s kitchen. She’s working on something - her sewing machine is out, and there are scraps of paper and cloth all over the kitchen table.
57.57.
1950 WOMAN Don’t worry, you’re safe here.
1950 WOMAN (laughing at herself) I always find that I think best at kitchen tables. Tea?
The woman hands her the cup, which Barbie Margot brings to her lips then hesitates. A little dribbles down her chin but she is able to drink it too. She smiles, proud of herself. She feels strangely comfortable here.
1950 WOMAN Oh, sweetie, we do more than work here.
1950 WOMAN (smiling) It never is. And isn’t that marvelous?
There is a moment that passes between them. Barbie Margot feels the woman’s gaze.
1950 WOMAN No. You look different.
58.58.
1950 WOMAN I don’t know, I think you’re just right.
She settles down at her sewing machine and resumes her work.
We hear the Executives in the hallway, yelling, trying doorknobs. Barbie Margot tenses. Without looking up, the older woman indicates a closet next to the refrigerator.
1950 WOMAN If you go through that closet, you’ll find a stairwell down to the lobby. Just be careful of the mops and brooms.
1950 WOMAN (smiling) Ruth.
Barbie Margot hesitates then enters the cupboard. She pushes through the mops and brooms. The cupboard extends beyond and Barbie Margot finds herself in a narrow back stairwell.
Barbie Margot scampers across the lobby and onto the busy street. She looks around desperately. She glances back through the glass windows. Mattel Executives sliding across the shiny, slippery lobby floor.
Barbie freezes, panicked. Gloria’s car pulls up, door opening.
Barbie Margot then SEES Gloria. Time slows down. It’s the “love look” completed. They see each other seeing each other.
Just then the Mattel Executives come running out of the building.
59.59.
Barbie Margot leaps into the back seat. The door slams shut and the car screeches off.
Town cars and vans pull up. The executives scramble inside.
Gloria drives, making crazy turns. She’s anincredible driver. Sasha in the passenger seat. Everyone is screaming.
Mattel gains on them. Gloria does somecrazy amazing driving.
SASHA GLORIA
I thought we gave those away! And I started playing and
making drawings like we used to do together because I thought it would be fun and joyful--
60.60.
BARBIE MARGOT GLORIA
I came for YOU! YOU came for ME!
CUT BACK to earlier images of mother and daughter, but this time we see Gloria’s experience, the joy of participating in Sasha’s childhood and the pain of Sasha inevitably moving away as she grows up.
BACK to THE CAR:
Gloria makes a crazy, screeching turn. (This should feel like the chase in Bullitt!)
61.61.
Gloria checks the rearview mirror. The Mattel cars flanking.
She makes another crazy turn:clearly Gloria is NOT boring.
Everyone slides over, Barbie Margot falling. Gloria rights the car, Barbie Margot climbs back up, her hair a mess.
GLORIA SASHA
It’s complicated... hate is a Wake up Mom! strong word.
Two cars appear on either side. The Mattel executives yelling, but we can’t hear anything they’re saying through their tinted windows.
62.62.
Gloria turns the wheel smashing into the side of a median strip, sending them skidding.
Gloria does a crazy reverse, Tokyo Drift thing right into a hidden alley. Everyone quiets as the Mattel vans drive by, not seeing them.
They roller blade, frantically.
63.63.
CUT to Nerdy Well Meaning Dad, in sandals and socks, learning Spanish from an app.
BACK to our group.
TRANSPORTATION MONTAGE
AND: We replay someof the various vehicles.
First is Snowmobile. Cute winter wear!
Sasha does an eye roll.
64.64.
Camper. They’re all chilling in lawn chairs.
Tandem Bike. It’s now a three seater!
They all crack up - Barbie Margot and Gloria are real pals.
Rocket.
Boat. Sasha is laughing as they take the waves in the speed boat. The experience, as bizarre as it is, can’t help but delight her. Sasha then regards her mother regarding her:
Barbie, Gloria and Sasha cruise in the Barbie Car. Indigo Girls “Closer to Fine” playing on the radio, as always
BARBIE MARGOT GLORIA
(singing) (also singing) I went to the doctor / I went I went to the doctor / I went to the mountain. to the mountain.
SASHA BARBIE MARGOT
WHAT IS THIS SONG?! (going on)
... and we have a female president!
65.65.
CUT BACK TO: VENICE BEACH. REAL WORLD
Mattel Executives talk to locals on the Boardwalk who tell them what they saw earlier.
AARON DINKINS MATTEL CEO
(he’s tagged along) They’ve gone to Barbie Land. Excuse me, sir?
Aaron Dinkins looks peculiar, trying to imagine.
EXECUTIVE #1 A podcast hosted by two wise trees? Or a choir of two thousand young fathers...
66.66.
They scatter.
Gloria and Sasha are totally impressed by the beauty of BARBIE LAND as they drive by the ocean in Barbie’s convertible.
They pass the BEACH. Kens are playing volleyball a la Top Gun and the Barbies are cheering (reverse of beginning).
Also Kens race on the beach and hug triumphantly in the surf (a la Rocky III). Barbie Issa hands a Ken a beer.
67.67.
A Ken Mermaid leaps out of the surf and waves. You don’t think that’s a thing? Check this out:
Barbie Mermaid emerges and hands the Ken Mermaid a beer.
They pass the Capitol.
And finally they pass Barbie Mt. Rushmore, but now instead of Barbies it’s... horses?!
They drive through the neighborhood.
As they arrive in the cul-de-sac, Gloria exclaims.
68.68.
A Ken sits on the swing and waves to them. Barbie cocks her head. Strange.
They pass a giant Hummer with flames--
She finally takes in the full transformation - There are mini- fridges everywhere, that poster of dogs playing poker, video games, BIG TVs playing horse footage, Doritos, Mini basketball hoops & arcade games, chin-up bars in the doorways, foosball, pool, ping pong, air hockey, it’s all Ken all the time, empowered through some strange game of telephone with the real world...
Some of them have beards, some mustaches, a couple have goatees. Every Ken is there, including Ken Simu. This embrace of a Real World cartoon masculinity seems to have united them. A now bearded Ken Ryan Gosling sporting a mink coat is in the middle of a monologue. All the Kens listen, rapt.
69.69.
The Kens turn to see Barbie Margot, Gloria and Sasha. Ken Ryan Gosling is secretlythrilled she showed up. He’d been wanting her to see what he was capable of. He tries to cover with nonchalance.
He’s hurt, but instead of admitting it, now he’s going to go full-out aggressive and posturing.
Ken Ryan Gosling opens the door to his mini-fridge and grabs a beer. Laughter from the Kens. Allan sits with the Kens on a leather couch and looks miserable.
Gloria and Sasha begin to repeat it back to Ken Ryan Gosling. Barbie Margot shushes them to stop as Ken laughs maniacally.
EXT/INT. MATTEL SHIPPING WAREHOUSE. REAL WORLD. DAY
People loading Ken Mojo Dojo Casa Houses onto forklifts.
70.70.
All the Mattel execs are roller blading. The CEO reacting to the news on his phone.
MATTEL CEO AARON DINKINS
It’s happening. That thing we - Executive Assistant - could never imagine. If we don’t get my Words Lady -
EXECUTIVE #2 But what does it matter if it’s Barbie or Ken? The money is pouring in!
They all look away not wanting to answer this.
71.71.
Ken Ryan Gosling swings a golf club through some plastic flowers in the yard. Barbie Margot reacts.
We see Kens with crazy patches of beard on their faces.
Barbie Emma enters in a French Maid outfit, Barbie Hari in a Naughty Schoolgirl outfit.
72.72.
Allan looks totally freaked out by what’s happening. Barbie Sharon and Barbie Ana sit on a leather couch rubbing a Ken’s feet.
Kens cheer in agreement.
Ken Ryan Gosling climbs up onto the roof of his Hummer.
73.73.
Ken Simu nods vigorously. He LOVES it!
With sudden, personal intensity, almost crying, based on a life-time of feeling like a second class citizen:
He attempts to slide down the hood of the Hummer but his mink sticks to the metal and he moves at a glacial pace. Finally landing on the ground:
He raises a remote with a sense of triumph and switches the channel on giant gross TV that has, until this point, been playing romantic horse footage.
74.74.
A Newswoman (Barbie Ritu) interviews Ken Scott.
CUT TO: THEATRE
Nobel prize ceremony. All the contestants are Kens and all the judges are Ken.
It’s Ken Ryan Gosling. He winks as he accepts his prize.
Ken Scott, who is president, signs a bill into law with all of the Ken senators standing around him.
Ken Kingsley argues in front of the Ken Supreme Court. The Gallery erupts into rapturous applause.
75.75.
Ken Ryan Gosling turns triumphantly to Barbie Margot, but also kind of wanting her approval.
Barbie Margot looks devastated.
A catch in his throat, this almost hurts him to say:
Ken Ryan Gosling feels for her, but then puts on sunglasses to hide his emotion. Then he puts sunglasses on top of his sunglasses and walks away. Cold as ice.
Barbie Margot runs from the housescreaming. Gloria and Sasha follow. As she reaches the lawn, clothes and accessories come raining down. Ken is tossing all her stuff off the third floor.
He identifies each clothing set as it flies through the air.
76.76.
Gloria surreptitiously picks up a few great pieces.
He is angry but he still loves all the clothes and obsessively calls them by their proper names, of course.
Ken Ryan Gosling collapses in a pool of emotion. Barbie Margot runs crying. Gloria and Sasha follow. Gloria tries to comfort her. Barbie Margot turns on Gloria, angry:
Sasha steps in, defending Gloria, who is touched.
77.77.
Barbie Margot drops listlessly into a sitting position, tips over and lies flat like a doll.
GLORIA BARBIE MARGOT
I really understand this JUST LEAVE ME HERE! Go back feeling. It’s basically like to your messed up world and being a human person all the leave me to mine. time--
SASHA BARBIE MARGOT
How do we even-- Do everything we did,
reversed.
Gloria and Sasha walk away.
Barbie Margot is now actually face down on the lawn.
A COMMERCIAL ON TV. It’s all bright and happy except for the dolls are really going through it. They look wrecked and sad.
78.78.
Weird Barbie patrols in a vehicle version of her house, constructed from abandoned Barbie cars. It’s kind of like a tank, very Road Warrior.
It rumbles past a Ken taking down “Barbie Way” and putting up a “Ken Avenue Boulevard Road Mews” sign. They screech to a halt beside a catatonic Barbie Margot:
Earring Magic Ken and Barbie Video Girl pick Barbie Margot up. From Barbie Margot’s point of view we see Weird Barbie.
Barbie Margot is lifted into the amazing, cock-eyed vehicle.
TANDEM BIKE. With the CEO at the front and Aaron Dinkens in the back, Mattel rides a 12 person tandem bike on their journey to Barbie Land!
Gloria and Sasha are driving down the Barbie highway in Barbie’s car. Gloria and Sasha (!!!) sing at the top of their lungs to the Indigo Girls.
79.79.
Sasha looks almostwistfully at the retreating landscape of Barbie Land.
Suddenly the song on the radio is cut out by a needle scratch. Gloria frowns. A Ken comes over the airwaves.
And then suddenly Matchbox 20’s “Push” erupts from the speakers. Allan pops up in the backseat:
Gloria and Sasha scream their heads off and Allan screams at their screaming. So much screaming! They skid off the road, crashing down a hill, flipping over a few times and landing upright on another road. (SAME SHOT AS THE FIRST TIME.) Except for this time, the car lands with no one in it, and ONE second later, right beside the car, in the same configuration, land Gloria, Sasha, & Allan.
Still hysterical, getting to their feet:
80.80.
Up ahead the Kens are building a wall. It’s partially constructed, and hard hat Kens hammer and dig.
It’s true: they’re building the wall STRAIGHT up, not across.
Off their looks--
Allan casually stands and walks towards the Kens.
81.81.
Allan charges at the Kens and takes them all on, rather impressively. Gloria and Sasha scramble to the car. Sasha lands in the driver’s seat and REVS:
Sasha looks beyond the wall and back to the Real World - and then in the other direction, back to Barbie Land.
Sasha looks at Gloria. And then, inspired:
82.82.
Allan punches the last Ken and takes a threatening step toward the remaining beleaguered Kens.
And he turns and runs back to the car.
Gloria hesitates.
Gloria and Sasha beam at each other. Sasha steps on the gas, turns the wheel and they swing backtoward Barbie Land.
Barbie Margot has joined Weird Barbie and her motley crew - the reject Barbies, Earring Magic Ken, Sugar Daddy Ken, Growing up Skipper -- her boobs grow when she lifts her arm -- Teen Talk Barbie, Tanner the pooping Dog, Video Girl Barbie.
Barbie Margot is lying on the floor, unable to do anything, totally without any will to live. Teen Talk Barbie and Video Girl Barbie attempt to un-brainwash Barbie Alexandra.
83.83.
Barbie Alexandra goes into one of those acceptance speeches women give, totally self-effacing and not embracing the win.
They hear voices. Everyone screams and then tries to hide, badly. Except for Barbie Margot, who doesn’t move. Other Barbies step over her. Some try to freeze like statues.
The sound of footsteps grow louder. Until finally Gloria, Sasha and Allan are standing there.
The lights go on and they all emerge out of their random hiding places. Barbie Margot half clocks Gloria and Sasha and tries to pull herself away, out of their sight.
84.84.
Again, we take in the group as Gloria identifies each one --
Gloria lifts Growing Up Skipper’s arm and her boobs inflate. This is as weird as it sounds.
85.85.
Gloria continues down the line of discontinued Barbies.
Gloria and Sasha walk over to Barbie Margot who hasn’t gotten very far. She just presses her face to the ground.
Gloria turns her over. Barbie Margot hides her face with her hands. Gloria gently moves them away.
And there is unadorned Barbie Margot, no makeup, nothing special just her (which WE KNOW is INSANELY BEAUTIFUL, don’t worry.) Barbie Margot totally falls apart weeping. Like a toddler crying.
86.86.
She sobs bitterly. Gloria shakes her head, feels deeply:
87.87.
Exhausted, she sits down. Allan is in tears, they all are. Maybe a slow clap? And then:
Sasha looks at her mom like she’s seeing her for the first time. She is proud.
Barbie Margot stands up. And we MOVE in on her pure, tear- streaked face.
Gloria, Sasha and everyone else turns to Barbie Margot:
88.88.
Sasha fist bumps her. Barbie Margot is amazed. She suddenly has new authority, a deeper voice, from a place of real knowing, like Olivia de Havilland at the end of “The Heiress.” (Now, go watch that movie!)
A large 3D map of Barbie Land opens up (like a Murphy bed) from the wall.
CUT TO: HEIST MONTAGE. We see the execution of the plan as Barbie Margot, Gloria and Sasha lay out the details. (You know that thing, you’ve seen it in every heist movie ever!)
89.89.
CUT TO: The Barbie Busytown Street. The “heist Barbies” pile out of Weird Barbie’s tank-car. Barbie Alexandra sits in a cafe on her laptop. She nods to the “heist Barbies” as Ken Simu strolls by with Barbie Issa.
Ken Simu immediately leaves Barbie Issa’s side for Barbie Alexandra.
He wraps his arms around her to use her keyboard.
90.90.
We see Barbie Margot and Allan hurrying Barbie Issa away from the scene. She’s thrown into the Weird Barbie tank-car and Gloria de-programs her:
This snaps Barbie Issa out of her stupor.
INTERCUT THE PLAN. The Barbies distract the Kens by pretending to be helpless and then Gloria deprograms them.
In a Ken Mojo Dojo Casa House, Ken Kingsley sits with Barbie Sharon in front of one of the giant TVs talking over the movie.
91.91.
The now de-brainwashed Barbie Issa sits beside him, feigning total interest.
She nods and smiles and while he’s busy blathering on about the movie, Barbie Margot and Weird Barbie gently “kidnap” Barbie Sharon, and lead her to Gloria who does another version of her speech.
Barbie Sharon blinks, awakened.
Now it’s Barbie Sharon helping! She sits with a a bunch of financial documents.
92.92.
They steal away HIS Barbie (Barbie Emma, in her maid outfit) and deprogram her.
And now Barbie Emma browses through albums while Ken Ncuti puts on a record, with Barbie Ana by his side.
Barbie Ana pretends she’s drowning, by just lying down by the side of the ocean.A Ken leans down to rescue her.
And again the liberated Barbies steal away Barbie Hari. Gloria ranting. Barbie Hari snapping out of it:
Then she executes the classic glasses gag:
93.93.
He takes off her glasses for her.
CUT TO: Helpful Sports Montage! Barbie Sharon pretends to not be able to hit a golf ball. Ken Scott approaches, wraps his arms around her:
Barbie Alexandra tennis swing. Ken Kingsley arm wrap.
Barbie Hari baseball swing. Ken Simu arm wrap.
Barbie Ana pulls the arrow back. Ken Ncuti arm wrap.
All the Kens at once, maybe in a “Team Photo” type thing:
The place is now bustling with Barbies who are back to themselves. It’s alive with chatter and planning. Weird Barbie does a taxi whistle to get their attention.
94.94.
CLOSE on Barbie Margot. A hand applies make-up to her face. It’s Gloria.
They share a rueful smile as Gloria finishes.
95.95.
Barbie Margot walks into the room of Barbies. They all smile at her. She’s “Stereotypical Barbie Perfect” again.
Barbie rings the bell. Ken Ryan Gosling sees her, pretends he doesn’t, noisily prepares himself, and then fakes being shocked to see her. It’s a lot.
BARBIE MARGOT KEN RYAN GOSLING
Ken Land is-- Kendom--
BARBIE MARGOT KEN RYAN GOSLING
Kendom- Kendom Land--
BARBIE MARGOT KEN RYAN GOSLING
Land of-- The Free and Men--
96.96.
BARBIE MARGOT KEN RYAN GOSLING
(confused but moving Yes? along) Right and--
Ken Ryan Gosling retreats into his house and out of view.
Returning to Barbie.
She hops inside.
Ken Ryan Gosling plays guitar on the couch while staring at Barbie Margot who listens patiently.
4 Hours Later and he’s still going. Now on the dunes. It’s a beach party with all the Kens and their Barbies. All the Barbies pretend to be brainwashed, and all the Kens play guitar at them. Yes, it’s like 20 guitars. And one drum set.
97.97.
Margot looks across to Barbie Alexandra, who nods - it’s time. Then Barbie Margot looks at her phone and giggles.
Anyone who asks that question twice has already lost all power.
He snatches the phone.
We follow Barbie Margot and move throughout the Barbie/Ken couples at the party, all playing their guitars at their Barbies.
Barbie Margot approaches Ken Simu who also plays guitar and sings Matchbox 20 at Barbie Alexandra.
98.98.
Ken Ryan Gosling observes this, enraged. He smashes his guitar into the sand but it doesn’t break.
And now the other Barbies do similar things, walking across the sand from their Kens to engage with opposing Kens.
The Kens look at each other suspiciously. No Ken can be trusted!
EXT/INT. KEN’S MOJO DOJO CASA HOUSES, CUL-DE-SAC. LATER
Ken Ryan Gosling, Ken Kingsley and Ken Ncuti sit on the edges of their houses with their feet dangling. Because the houses are open to the world, they can all see and talk to each other. It’s all very kid-like.
99.99.
100.100.
In his bed, Ken Ryan Gosling is already awake, singing.
Then he and the other Kens mink up and walk towards battle, Ryan still singing. Think “The Warriors.”
The song continues as...
They come in on paddle boats, Ken Ryan Gosling and Ken Kingsley leading the charge, paddling furiously, trying to look dignified in their arm floaties.
The other Kens, led by Ken Simu, are waiting on the dunes mounted on hobby-horses.
As they rush the beach in their trunks, they’re also hitting volleyballs and making sand castles. Maybe a game of Kadima?
Slo-mo sand being kicked in Ken’s faces.
All the Barbies, Barbie Margot, Weird Barbie, Gloria, Sasha, and the rejected Barbies and Kens look over Barbie Land.
BACK TO THE BEACH. The executives from Mattel in their suits appear amidst the Kens on the beach.
101.101.
Aaron Dinkins is hit in the head with a volleyball.
Mattel Executive #1 laughs and then is suddenly and violently shot in the arm in a real Saving Private Ryan way. He crumples on the sand. Everyone looks at each other.
MATTEL EXECUTIVE #1 Did I get shot? Are there real weapons here?
The Kens continue to do “battle” with Ken Ryan Gosling singing his heart out.
This transitions into a “dream ballet” in a white space. The Kens dance in an expression of frustrated masculinity, helplessness, and feeling.
It culminates in dance-off and Ken Anthem. It’s beautiful, actually. It’s broken by:
We’re back on the beach. The Kens hold hands post dream ballet, Ken Ryan Gosling still in the feeling, Ken Kingsley comes running over to him.
We move through the crowd of enthusiastic Barbies. “The last time I saw you you were brain washed! So were you!
102.102.
You look so much better not in the cheerleader costume! And you without the school girl outfit!”
Barbie Issa bangs the gavel, casually and glamorously commanding.
The Barbies all say “aye” voting to retain the constitution. Sasha grabs her mom’s hand. She has a tear running down her cheek.
Barbie Margot smiles.That’s what she wanted to show them.
The Kens, in musical dance pack, approach the cul-de-sac as if they’re riding horses, but they’re just galloping on foot Monty Python style...
As they arrive, they look up and down and all around to discover that the Barbies (plus Allan and Sasha and Gloria and the rejected dolls) are now occupying all the houses.
The whole aesthetic is now a combination of Mojo Dojo Casa House PLUS Dreamhouse PLUS Weirdhouse. It’s a combo-pack, which is actually the most beautiful of all.
The Barbies all step out into the open.
She’s censored by a Mattel logo.
All the Barbies cheer!
103.103.
They all slowly, tiredly line themselves up.
Ken Ryan Gosling looks at the Barbies, triumphant, but not confrontational.
He hesitates. He looks back at the Kens who look exhausted and confused. Suddenly he sees the folly of everything. The other Kens look sheepish, as well. They look like the kids at the end of Lord of The Flies when the ship comes.
Ken Ryan Gosling starts crying and runs past Barbie Margot into the Dreamhouse.
Which makes Allan cry. Barbie Margot goes into the Dreamhouse to comfort him:
Ken Ryan Gosling is lying face down on the bed.
104.104.
He does.
He heaves and ugly cries, snot dripping from his nose. Barbie Margot tries to comfort him but kind of realizes she should just let this finish on its own.
Ken wipes his tears, nods a thank you. We see that Ken is reflected in Barbie’s eye - Ken sees it too. He leans in for a kiss. She backs away.
105.105.
Ken Ryan Gosling runs to the edge of the house, dramatically.
Ken leans in AGAIN for the kiss.
BARBIE MARGOT KEN RYAN GOSLING
No-- That’s not what I’m-- OK, I think I got it.
Ken is bursting with feeling, leaning over a few more times to try to kiss her even though he knows that’s not the solution. He just tries to accept it. He looks crazy.
ALL THE KENS DOWN BELOW NO! YOU LOOK SO COOL!!
106.106.
The Kens call out from below.
Ken Ryan Gosling clutches his mink in his arms as he looks down to Ken Kingsley. And then he tosses it dramatically into the air.
Ken Kingsley dons the faux mink coat. He turns to the crowd:
Ken Ryan Gosling goes down the slide
Suddenly, there is clapping. And weeping. The Mattel CEO exits the treehouse. He is somehow clapping and weeping the hardest.
He sees Midge standing next to him, screams.
107.107.
The Mattel execs all join in and tickle their CEO, who is giggling like a little kid. Aaron Dinkins’ tickle turning into a hug:
BARBIE ISSA MATTEL CEO
But, Mr. Mattel-- Please call me Mother.
Nobody notices he says this. President Barbie approaches Weird Barbie:
A gaggle of Kens approach, excited.
108.108.
Sasha pokes at Gloria, prompting her.
The Mattel CEO looks at Mattel Executive #1 who quickly runs the numbers on an iPad.
MATTEL EXECUTIVE #1 Yeah that’s going to make money.
109.109.
Everyone cheers. Sasha finds Barbie Margot in the crowd. Barbie Margot claps, and looks happy, but something is missing too.
The Barbies nod.
BARBIES/KENS Yeah, what about Barbie?!/What’s her ending?
A VOICE ON THE WIND That was always the point. I created you so youwouldn’t have an ending.
Coming toward her on the road, backlit by the sun, is a small, well dressed woman holding a hand bag.
110.110.
It’s Ruth, the woman from the 50’s kitchen in the Mattel offices. Barbie Margot meets her half-way:
Then Ruth goes from being some ethereal God-like figure to a comedian, angelic act dropped.
Whispers and looks amongst the Barbies and Kens.
Ruth gestures to Barbie Margot.
111.111.
Barbie takes Ruth’s hand. They head down the road. The cul-de- sac of Barbies and Kens and Mattel all do a slow theater wave goodbye. Ken Ryan waves, heartfelt:
A vast empty space, almost like reflecting sand on a beach, softly illuminated by different, changing colors.
Barbie Margot says this before she realized that she’d said it and then immediately realizes it’s true.
112.112.
113.113.
She does.
She does.
We see details of Barbie Margot, her eye, her forearm, her pulse. Life.
And she feels and sees what a human life is. The joy and pain of being mortal. All that she will lose and gain.
We see FLASHES of life lived, unadorned home footage of many women’s lives - happiness, sadness, big moments, little moments, childhood, adulthood, old age, how it all rushes by in one moment, each life drifting into the next somehow capturing the current that runs through all things.
BACK TO BARBIE: Tears roll down Barbie Margot’s face. She opens her eyes and says one thing:
We BOOM down to the streets of LA.
114.114.
Gloria pulls up to the curb. Nerdy Well Meaning Dad rides shotgun, Sasha and Barbie Margot in the backseat.
GLORIA SASHA
You’ve got this. I’m so proud of you.
They all cheer her on as she walks from the car into a big building. We see that she’s wearing Birkenstocks - PINK, of course, but still, Birks.
Nervous, happy, she finds the right door, and walks up to a reception desk. To the woman behind the glass:
And then she says, with so much pride, so much anticipation, so much meaning, so much deep joy:
115.115.
CUT TO BLACK BEFORE ANYONE CAN EVEN PROCESS THAT SENTENCE.
The End.