Why did Ken yell “Sublime” in Barbie?

In the vibrant kaleidoscope of humor, high fashion, and social commentary that is Greta Gerwig's 'Barbie', one moment stands out in its inexplicable hilarity and sheer randomness - Ken's (Ryan Gosling) unscripted shout of "Sublime!" Disconnected from any evident context and emerging amidst a narrative dominated by intricate metaphors and emotional introspection, Ken's exclamation prompts an interesting question - what is the deeper significance of this enigmatic scene?

At the surface level, Ken's shout serves as comic relief - a nugget of absurdity amidst the turmoil and societal upheaval that unfolds in Barbie Land. This scene happens when Barbie (Margot Robbie) visits Ken at his Mojo Dojo Casa house, and Ken, excusing himself for a moment, spontaneously bellows "Sublime!" off-screen. A hilarious testament to Gosling's improvisational talent, this moment has left audiences chuckling and scratching their heads in bemused delight.

But what might this offbeat moment signal on a more nuanced level?

One intriguing perspective could be to analyze Ken's exclamation in the context of his character's evolution throughout the movie. Before the Kens' uprising, Ken, like his fellow Kens, had lived in Barbie's shadow - a supporting player in the grand theatre of Barbie Land. However, as the Kens seize control, Ken grapples with his newfound position of authority. The shout of "Sublime!" can be interpreted as a moment of self-affirmation, a pep talk aimed at assuaging his apprehensions and asserting his worthiness of leadership.

To dig deeper, one might connect this scene to the story of the lion's roar in Buddhist teachings. The roar symbolizes the Buddha’s claim to teach a universal truth that anyone can experience for themselves. It’s a bold, clear, and confident statement. In the context of 'Barbie', Ken's "Sublime!" might parallel this lion's roar, representing a claim to his own truth, a call to his personal awakening.

But the depths of this scene could be plumbed further. Perhaps, Gosling's ad-lib was not a mere comedic interjection, but a subtle nod to the philosophical concept of the 'sublime.' In aesthetics, the sublime is a quality of overwhelming greatness or vastness that inspires awe and veneration, often associated with nature and the divine. In the movie, could Ken's shout be a recognition of the grandeur of his newly acquired power, the immensity of the change in Barbie Land's social order? Is he, in that moment, awestruck by the sublime spectacle of transformation he is part of?

This interpretation could align with German philosopher Immanuel Kant's notion of the sublime. In his 'Critique of Judgment', Kant proposes two forms of sublime – the mathematical and the dynamic. The mathematical sublime is inspired by the vastness and infinite nature of things, while the dynamic sublime is derived from the tremendous, uncontrollable forces of nature. Ken's shout of "Sublime!" could represent his encounter with both the mathematical and dynamic sublime – the infinite possibilities of the new world order and the uncontrollable forces that have driven the Kens to usurp power.

The scene where Ken shouts "Sublime!" stands out as one of the film's most memorably bizarre moments. On the surface, it serves as an excellent piece of comedy. Yet, under the microscope of closer inspection, it reveals itself to be a window into Ken's psyche, a subtle commentary on the grandeur of change, and perhaps even a nod to philosophical theories of the sublime. Like a matryoshka doll, 'Barbie' continues to unfold, revealing layers of depth and meaning even in its most offbeat and whimsical moments.