Even though ‘Barbenheimer’ as a term became a trend on social media, many people seem to be more on the ‘Oppenbarbie’ team – in other words, with a double feature, first watch Christopher Nolan’s ‘Oppenheimer’ and then, after the 3 hour biopic thriller, close the evening with Greta Gerwig’s bright pink and fun ‘Barbie’ in a happy tone.
There are already a whole range of T-shirts with different motifs on the market to celebrate the dual function. Videos also went viral on social media showing people going to the movies for “Oppenheimer” and then switching outfits to enjoy “Barbie” in pink as well. Here’s a particularly awesome homemade costume from a TikToker:
Quentin Tarantino also watched the two films as a double film this weekend. He was spotted watching 70mm Oppenheimer at the Regency Village Theater in Los Angeles, then crossed the street and did Barbie across the street at the Regency Bruin Theater.
It is also a special location that Tarantino chose for the second half of his double program. Das Bruin has a prominent role in his film Once Upon A Time… In Hollywood. Sharon Tate, played by “Barbie” star Margot Robbie, watches one of her own films (“Roll Commando”) in this cinema. A photo doing the rounds shows Tarantino buying a ticket. Hidden behind him is his film companion: “Pulp Fiction” co-writer Roger Avary, with whom Tarantino now runs The Video Archives Podcast.
But unfortunately I have to tell you that I think pairing “Oppenheimer” and “Barbie” as a double feature is an extremely stupid idea – as much fun as it is to be part of the hype.
“Oppenheimer” & “Barbie”: Give both movies time to breathe
Because both “Oppenheimer” and “Barbie” are beautiful, especially layered and complex films (yes, “Barbie” also has many levels, despite the very clear statement behind it, which only emerge after a while). I noticed, that both movies thrive on letting them sink in on you, still dealing with them… and not throwing yourself right into the next movie.
As a film critic, time and time again I experience the dilemma of having to rush to the nearest cinema. Especially at festivals you like to watch five films in a row… and I always regret that there is so little time to make each film have an impact. It happens that I lie in bed at night and suddenly notice how a title of the day grabs me again and makes me think. It’s also often the case that I revisit the films that inspired me at festivals later in the regular theatrical release, just to give them this time to have an aftereffect.
Double films are a great asset and have a long tradition in cinema (in the past with the B and A films). I like to watch a lot of movies in a row – do a “Star Wars”, “Indiana Jones” or “Back to the Future” marathon. But in my opinion this is not the optimal viewing experience, especially when viewing special works such as “Oppenheimer” and “Barbie” for the first time.
So my tip is: this time give “Oppenheimer” and “Barbie”. Watch one title one day, the next day. Then it doesn’t matter whether you watch Christopher Nolan’s film or Greta Gerwig’s first. Two great cinema experiences await you.