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Greta Gerwig’s film “Barbie” delivers a fresh narrative that melds existential themes with a touch of nostalgia. As the stereotypical Barbie, portrayed by Margot Robbie, steps beyond the confines of Barbie Land into the real world, audiences are introduced to cinematic renditions of her and Ken’s, played by Ryan Gosling, circle of friends. Among these is the often overlooked Allan doll, with Michael Cera’s portrayal elevating him to a memorable character whose complex backstory underscores the film’s deeper messages.
Warner Bros.
Allan made his debut in 1964 as Ken’s best friend, notable for sharing a wardrobe with him. However, the film doesn’t focus on their camaraderie, as Allan vanished from the scene in the mid-1960s. When reintroduced in 1991, Allan’s character evolved with his marriage to Midge. At this point, Mattel subtly altered his name from Allan to Alan, without explanation. A year later, Allan and Midge became parents to twins, though the children appeared only in promotional materials and were not sold as dolls. In 2002, the family became available as toys, with Alan and their son, Ryan, sold together, while Midge, marketed as a pregnant doll, was controversially pulled from shelves. Nonetheless, in 2004, Midge and Alan resurfaced to celebrate their daughter Nikki’s first birthday, indicating Mattel’s enduring commitment to the characters despite mixed public reactions.
Midge’s pregnancy propelled her to a notoriety comparable to Barbie and Ken, setting her apart from Allan and possibly explaining their lack of scenes together in the movie. Despite his connections and repeated appearances, Allan remains somewhat sidelined. This marginalization shapes Cera’s portrayal of Allan, influencing both his character’s journey and his potential future within the storyline.
Midge’s pregnancy made her as well-known as Barbie and Ken, and it put her on a whole different level compared to Allan, which is probably why they don’t share scenes in the “Barbie” movie. Allan remains overlooked despite his high-profile connections and continuous returns to the brand. This fate heavily influences Cera’s version of the character, but it also shapes Allan’s future.
Still, Allan’s moments of courage aren’t entirely his doing. His confidence only emerges after Barbie embarks on a self-discovery journey to overcome her insecurities. Allan’s own attempt to flee the newly established Kendom happens after Barbie’s venture into reality, during which he openly airs his grievances before confronting some Kens. Such actions were unthinkable for him at the movie’s start, but witnessing Barbie’s embrace of individuality inspires him to follow suit. These introspective moments forge a newfound bond between Barbie and Allan, imparting a valuable lesson to audiences: one need not be confined by past expectations or limitations.
How Allan’s history shapes Michael Cera’s character
Michael Cera told GQ that Allan is a sad character who doesn’t really have direction. This is because Allan is a forgotten doll, and the awareness of his past is noticeable in his first scene as he awkwardly stands on a beach next to a bunch of Kens who are participating in different activities. Ken is supposed to be his best friend, but they don’t share the same mindset because of Allan’s discontinuation. His checkered past has led to an individuality that no one understands, but being discontinued is the reason why he becomes an unlikely hero. His large absence from Ken’s life means that he never adopted the groupthink mentality of the Kens, nor did he adopt the jealousy that they feel toward each other. This allows Allan to become the anti-Ken that the “Barbie” movie needs to reach its conclusion.
However, Allan shouldn’t receive all of the credit for his heroic streak. His confidence doesn’t kick in until Barbie takes a journey that helps her navigate her insecurities. Allan doesn’t try to escape the newly founded Kendom until after Barbie’s maiden voyage into reality, and this escape attempt includes Allan venting about his frustrations before fighting some Kens. He would have never done that at the beginning of the film, but watching someone else embrace their own individuality encourages him to try it out for himself. These moments of reflection give Barbie and Allan a common ground that has never existed before, and their friendship teaches viewers that you don’t have to fit into the mold that the past has put you in.