Powerful film commenting on how parents reinforce gender roles and the impact on how a child develops and acts. Bobby’s father is a negative influence because he discourages his son from playing with Barbies. In comparison, Bobby’s mother encourages his behavior simply because it makes him happy. This external conflict between the parents mirrors Bobby’s internal conflict in choosing to please his father or himself. We are helpless to intervene and must stand idly by watching Bobby endure his father’s disapproval. His father’s comment, “You know dolls are for girls, right monkey?” begins the scene that eventually concludes with a shot of Barbie and Ken floating motionless in the pool (sink), where they had once been swimming, abandoned by Bobby, and is a moving foreshadow of the film’s conclusion. After several scenes that show his internal struggle, the audience is once again left unable to intervene when Bobby drops his Barbie out of the car window. His defeat further solidifies the message of the film by causing powerful feelings of helplessness in the viewer, and imploring them to intervene when they have the power to do so. I find it compelling that Bobby’s father’s expectations reigned over the mother’s. Perhaps, this is a deeper commentary on the influence a father-figure has on a male child, placing more responsibility on fathers to understand their impact on their sons’ development.

[spoiler][/spoiler]