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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

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.

May 1, 2018

Full Review

John Anderson

Wall Street Journal

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.

Apr 27, 2018

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Kate Erbland

IndieWire

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.

Rated: B+

Apr 27, 2018

Full Review

Linda Cook

OurQuadCities / WHBF-TV (Illinois)

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

Rated: 3 stars

Jul 30, 2023

Full Review

Alexandra MacAaron

Women's Voices for Change

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

Rated: 8/10

Jun 5, 2018

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Brian Costello

Common Sense Media

Comprehensive docu about iconic, controversial doll.

Rated: 4/5

May 15, 2018

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Audience Member

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.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

01/24/23

Full Review

geralt g

This doc gave a really good look at how people fighting for change inside a for profit company sometimes get bashed coming and going. This was a glimpse into a microcosm that represents the bigger struggle women and girls face daily.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

03/31/23

Full Review

lucero k

One of the best documentaries around

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

03/31/23

Full Review

Audience Member

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

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

02/26/23

Full Review

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Andrea Blaugrund Nevins

Director

Gloria Steinem

Self

Richard Dickson

Self

Amanda Foreman

Self

Peggy Orenstein

Self

Roxane Gay

Self

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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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