The previous months were quite heavy for most of us. At times as such, something that will let
our minds take a break is much appreciated. Something that will keep us entertained without the
need to over-analyze it, but that will charm us with its quirkiness and the most unique narrative.
The thing that has all these components is Barb and Star Go to Vista Del Mar. Directed by Josh
Greenbaum and written by Kristen Wiig and Annie Mumolo, who also star in titular roles, this
film is everything right now yet nothing that you could ever imagine. Its much-needed
ridiculousness manifests itself in eccentric characters, utterly chaotic plot, and the complete mix
of film genres. It also teaches one very crucial thing – the importance of culottes.
The plot of Barb and Star Go to Vista Del Mar can be divided into two parts. We are introduced
to two middle-aged best friends, Barb (Mumolo) and Star (Wiig), who lose their jobs at “the
hottest place in town” – a furniture store, Jennifer Convertibles. After their mutual friend
convinces them to try something new, Barb and Star travel to the mysterious, most gorgeous
place on Earth – Vista Del Mar. However, before the audience even gets to know them, there is
an opening scene that contains something else entirely. At moments, we wonder – is this the
right film?
Yoyo (Reyn Doi) seems like your usual, completely ordinary paperboy. He rides his bike with a
wide smile, listening to music on his headphones. Suddenly, everything shifts when he enters a
secret lair through the tree (yes, through the tree – and that’s not even the weirdest thing about it
all). Soon after, we discover that Sharon Gordon Fisherman (portrayed by Wiig also) seeks
revenge on a small ocean town – surprise, surprise, it’s Vista Del Mar! As she was bullied
because of her skin condition, Sharon, with Edgar’s help (Jamie Dornan) – the man who holds a
massive crush on his boss, plans to send mutated killer mosquitoes to the vacation place. That, of
course, is supposed to happen when Barb and Star are there.
The plot itself is a lot. It’s utterly chaotic and upside-down. Barb and Star’s ridiculousness,
though, is what makes the film highly entertaining. Wiig and Mumolo created the funniest
characters of 2021 (as of now). Their Barb and Star are not only best friends but also roommates.
Literally, roommates. They work together and sleep in the same room. The first thing that comes
to mind when one hears the names Barb and Star, is chattering and giggles. Their high-pitched
voices often shout over each other, especially when they’re excited.
They’re more than best friends – they’re family. One of the funniest scenes is just at the
beginning, when they sit down on the couch at their work, gossiping and listening to “Man, I
Feel Like a Woman” by Shania Twain. Their good moods change and chattering stops when a
couple attempts to buy the couch that became an integral part of their lives. It’s where women
shared their darkest secrets: “Remember when you told me you were afraid you were addicted to
caramel?,” Barb whispers. “Caramel squares… God, I’m glad that’s over,” exhales Star.
There is a lot about titular characters that makes them very much amusing. It’s their personalities,
appearance, and almost all of the dialogues they engage in during the film. Regarding their
image, it seems as both got stuck in the 90s. Their hair cut short and curled resemble the hairstyle
that often grandmas have. Barb and Star adore bright colors with floral accents and an excess
amount of chunky and clunky jewelry. However, the most significant article of clothing is their
culottes. According to the film’s initial definition, culottes are “women’s trousers, usually, calf-
length, cut full to resemble a skirt. Typically worn by women in their middle age years.” At first,
we are somewhat confused by this explanation and why it appears in Barb and Star. But, as the
plot advances, both characters prove to the audience how truly important culottes can be for a
woman. They can even save a life!
Barb and Star talk a lot. It’s nearly impossible for them to put a stop to it. They must exchange
every thought they have and articulate every single observation to one another. If you were to fly
in the plane next to them, it’s highly advisable to move unless you enjoy their conversations as
much as yours truly. Coincidentally, the scene in which the women fly to Vista Del Mar, Florida,
is a personal all-time favorite, which was memorized word for word (truly, no joke here). Barb
and Star love the name Trish so much, so they create a whole character and her life. They name
Trish’s favorite season, favorite movie, and pretty much anything else you can think of – “Trish?
At Christmas? Forget it! She gets everyone a gift,” Star exclaims as they both continue, which
causes them to cry on the escalator about Trish and her extraordinary life.
That scene alone is single-handedly one of the funniest, outlandish, unconventional scenes seen
in a comedy in a long time. Although so peculiar, it felt almost relatable. How many times do we
have absurd conversations with our friends when we’re out?
But it’s not just Wiig and Mumolo who make this comedy so enjoyable. Jamie Dornan, who
plays Edgar, isn’t far behind. With his teenage-ish crush on his boss, he would do anything for
her. That, however, turns when he encounters titular characters who charm him from the first
moment. When you think you’ve observed everything, you are undoubtedly mistaken; Dornan
starts signing. “Seagull on a tire, can you hear my prayer?!” he shouts as he’s climbing a palm
tree with his fingertips or spinning pirouettes along the coastline. It’s not only the lyrics that are
utterly upside-down and meaningless, but it’s the overall ridiculousness of it, and we’re here for it
all the way to the end. Everything together, be it Dornan performing, seagulls as the most
significant part of the song, the actor’s dance, and more, provide us with the compilation of
absolutely absurd, indescribable components. And we need to see more.
Barb and Star Go to Vista Del Mar bestows upon the audience even more ludicrousness. Some
elements have to be simply seen to comprehend this gem fully. One of the other factors for it to
be a mad ride are a few cameos. If it’s not Fortune Feimster or Phyllis Smith, who has some type
of horse fetish, it’s an ocean crab named Morgan Freemond. The characters meet Morgan on the
beach; although it was supposed to remind us of the known actor, the crab is not actually voiced
by him but by his impersonator. Despite this, the hilariousness of it remains. Nothing, however,
can prepare the audience for the final cameo, which is a double surprise both in terms of the
story and who appears in the role. But let’s not spoil it. If you still didn’t see it on the social
media platforms, do yourself a favor and dive into the film without looking it up.
Barb and Star Go to Vista Del Mar is an utter mix of genres. We can observe comedy,
adventure, musical, and suspense all blended together, and we take it all in as it goes. The film
feels like an acid trip (at some points, literally, but figuratively speaking as well). Wiig and
Mumolo fully tune into their roles. Everything is perfect, from their pompous midwestern
accents to their clothing and meaningless chatters throughout the film. Even when the weirdness
pours out of the screen, we cannot stop but reflect and perceive their relationship as quite
charming. The characters remind the audience of the power of female friendship. However, it’s
not the bullet point of the film. It’s subtle, between the lines, as we see the most bizarre things
occurring on screen.
As this love letter is being written, the words aren’t enough to fully articulate how much we
needed this film right now. While it’s always worth it to watch a film that fills our hearts with
emotions and lets our minds reflect long after, we are also in dire need of something light that
will take us and surround us with as much confusing yet hilarious weirdness as possible. This is
what Barb and Star Go to Vista Del Mar achieves. Please don’t wait and go see it because it’s
just a so gosh darn great film.
Barb And Star Go to Vista Del Mar premiered digitally on 3/26 and was released on Blu-ray &
DVD 4/6.
