Michael Cera's Allan is 'Barbie's sly secret weapon
Welcome to Thanks, I Love It, our series highlighting something onscreen we're obsessed with this week.
When you think "Barbie," you think of Barbie and Ken — but probably not Allan.
The long-forgotten red-headed buddy of Ken, Allan has been resurrected in Greta Gerwig's Barbie. And from that first character poster, Michael Cera's casting had us intrigued. Now, with the film finally in theaters — after almost exhausting hype — we get to learn the secrets of Allan. And the big one is: He may be the single funniest doll in this movie.
What's the deal with Barbie's Allan?
Barbieland is full of Kens, played by the likes of dashing actors like Ryan Gosling, Simu Liu, Kingsley Ben-Adir, Ncuti Gatwa, Scott Evans, and John Cena. Then there's Allan. In a clip released ahead of the film's theatrical debut, Allan is introduced on a beach full of Barbies and Kens greeting each other.
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In the scene, an unseen narrator (Helen Mirren) explains, "There are no multiples of Allan. He's just Allan."
"Yeah," Cera as Allan says in response, briefly breaking the fourth wall, "I'm confused about that."
It's a low-key hilarious introduction. Allan sticks out in the Barbieland of violent pinks, constant pastels, and high-energy neon colors. He's in a beach ensemble that's a bit bland in comparison: striped top, blue shorts, and matching blue sandals. He's casually not-cool and lacks the muscle definition of the swarm of Kens, though — as he'll note — he can fit into Ken's clothes.
The look, from the boring beach attire to the awkwardly combed hair and even the note about wardrobe sharing possibilities all come from the "real" Allan, a doll that originated in 1964 (and was revived as Alan, with one "l", in 1991). But Allan (and Alan) never really caught on. Yet Cera makes him a stupendous supporting character in Barbie.
Michael Cera is magic as Allan.
From his first line, there's an absurdity to Allan, who doesn't fit the aesthetic of Barbieland. But as displayed in his brief exchange with the unseen narrator, he possesses a greater perception that comes from being a misfit. He's more aligned with Weird Barbie (Kate McKinnon), who knows of the Real World, than his dear friend Stereotypical Ken (Ryan Gosling), in that he can think for himself and acknowledge feelings beyond party and beach.
This becomes clear in that first beach scene, when Ken runs hard into the plastic waves, only to be ruthlessly rebuffed. Gosling's body spins like a kid flipping a doll around dramatically. Before he rushes to this calamity, Gerwig cuts to Allan, who cries out in comical concern, "KEN!"
Michael Cera screams as if he's a cartoon character whose baby has just been chucked into traffic. No one will blame you for cackling. The whole sequence is a terrific example of how Gerwig has fun with the idea of Barbie play within the film. But even as every Ken and Barbie rushes into the scene to help or snark (Liu's Ken is kind of a jerk), Allan's reaction hits the sharpest. Where the others never lose their smiles, Allan pairs his beachwear with a furrowed brow or a frown.
Later, when Barbieland is a mess from colliding realities — and Ken's clumsy understanding of "patriarchy" — it is Allan who first expresses disdain. He is relegated to Brewski-Beer-and-foot-rubs duty with the brainwashed Barbies and he does not like it.
Long before Florence Pugh's frown launched a thousand memes, Cera's frown was distinctly speaking to teen angst. And now, grown and Allan, his frown speaks to being in a dystopian reality where boneheads are in charge. Allan is perhaps Barbie's most relatable icon. But more than that, Cera has made Allan the most reliably funny doll in Barbieland.
Whether he's battling construction worker Kens, slinging awkward catchphrases ("I can fit in Ken's clothes!"), or giving a stern expression in a quick but cutting cutaway, he is divinely funny. Reaction shots of Allan are destined to become scorching memes of shock and disapproval, because Cera is pitch-perfect as a doll who has seen too much.
How to watch: Barbie is now available to watch at home. Here's where to get it.
Topics Film
Kristy Puchko is the Entertainment Editor at Mashable. Based in New York City, she's an established film critic and entertainment reporter who has traveled the world on assignment, covered a variety of film festivals, co-hosted movie-focused podcasts, and interviewed a wide array of performers and filmmakers.
