Tiny Shoulders: Rethinking Barbie

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Tiny Shoulders: Rethinking Barbie

2018

1h 31m

Documentary

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

81%

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16 Reviews

62%

Popcornmeter

Fewer than 50 Ratings

Examining over 60 years of women through the lens of Barbie, the most popular plastic doll ever created. She's been a fashion icon and a target for feminists.

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Critics Consensus

A thoughtful rumination on beauty standards and feminism, Tiny Shoulders goes beyond plastic observations to create an even-handed examination of Barbie's role in the broader culture.

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Sophie Gilbert

The Atlantic

05/01/2018

But the most fascinating aspect of the movie is how it uses Barbie as a metaphor for a culture that's still infinitely more preoccupied with what a woman looks like than what she says.

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John Anderson

Wall Street Journal

04/27/2018

There's some lovely filmmaking-an opening sequence in which a handmade Barbie moves from stage to stage, from hair-weaving to lip-painting, is gorgeous.

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Kate Erbland

IndieWire

04/27/2018

B+

Nevins does quick work of making her audience care about the earning potential of a multi-million dollar business by honing in on some other remarkable women.

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Linda Cook

OurQuadCities / WHBF-TV (Illinois)

07/30/2023

3 stars

This is a thoughtful documentary on the phenomenon that is Barbie.

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Alexandra MacAaron

Women's Voices for Change

06/05/2018

8/10

Has a piece of plastic even been so politically charged? No, argues filmmaker Andrea Blaugrund Nevins in this interesting and entertaining documentary.

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Brian Costello

Common Sense Media

05/15/2018

4/5

Comprehensive docu about iconic, controversial doll.

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01/05/2020

A peek behind the pink curtain manages to capture just how difficult it is to be charged with being Barbie or, in this case, Barbie's guardian. Excellent documentary.

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lucero k

@lucero0922 05/04/2018

One of the best documentaries around

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04/26/2018

What could have been a very interesting story, was told in a dull manner with disconnected historical events. I was excited to see the doll's evolution, however, the film proved that impetus for change was not feminism, however, consumer criticism and falling revenues. Lacked a critical and engaging perspective into the thought process behind evolving barbie .. overall poorly told story

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Andrea Blaugrund Nevins

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Synopsis

Examining over 60 years of women through the lens of Barbie, the most popular plastic doll ever created. She's been a fashion icon and a target for feminists.

Director: Andrea Blaugrund Nevins
Producer: Andrea Blaugrund Nevins, Cristan Crocker-Reilly
Screenwriter: Andrea Blaugrund Nevins
Production Co: Hulu, Rare Bird Films
Genre: Documentary
Original Language: English
Runtime: 1h 31m

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