‘Barb and Star Go to Vista Del Mar’ REVIEW: A delightful absurdist fluff
‘Barb and Star Go to Vista Del Mar’ REVIEW: A delightful absurdist fluff
Annie Mumolo (right) and Kristen Wiig (left) as Barb and Star, respectively.
This review contains minor spoilers for Barb and Star Go to Vista Del Mar (2021).
Back in 2011, real-life bestfriends Annie Mumulo and Kristen Wiig wrote the female-led ensemble comedy Bridesmaids, which became a summer box-office hit that ultimately paved the way for mainstream studios to produce more comedy films starring women. As a result, the comedy-duo each earned an Oscar nomination for writing the film’s equally hilarious and heartfelt script that highlights the honest nature of female camaraderie.
One decade later, they reunite once again to deliver a comedy with a similar theme about a female friendship being put to test. Only this time, it’s not grounded on reality.
Barb and Star Go to Vista Del Mar is another hilarious offering from the Wiig-Mumolo tandem. Most modern comedies that came out today are either too predictable or unoriginal, but refreshingly unique ones, such as this, can really stand out among the rest.
Mumolo plays Barb, a widow, and Wiig plays Star, a divorcee. They have been best friends ever since they can remember. They’re so close and inseparable that they pretty much do everything together. They live in the same house, even share the same bedroom; they both work at “the hottest place in town” as sales associates; they both have the same fashion sense and hairstyle that comes straight from the 80s; they both love to tell each other silly random thoughts like “It’s so funny to think all the raccoons in the world are sleeping right now.” or “Should we try those socks with individual toes?”. But despite all their similarities, they also have one distinction: Barb is too afraid to try on new things while Star is a risk-taker.
When the store they work with is about to be closed for good, Barb and Star (now both jobless) start to consider that maybe it’s time for them to leave their precious little town for a while in order for them to regain their “shimmer”. “I can’t believe I’m saying this, but let’s throw caution to the wind like a couple of rock and rollers.” a convinced Barb said to Star as they finally decided to embark on a new and exciting adventure to Vista del Mar, a luxury beach resort that was once suggested by their friend. Oh, and did I also mention that there’s a psychopathic evil villain (also portrayed by Wiig herself in an unrecognizable role) who wants to release a swarm of engineered killer mosquitoes into the beach resort, with the help of her handsome sidekick (Jamie Dornan), as an act of revenge?
Barb and Star arriving in Palm Vista Hotel.
The thing about Barb and Star Go to Vista Del Mar is that it can only work if the audiences are willing to fully submit themselves into buying its overall wacky absurdity. The schtick works most of the time as Mumolo and Wiig playfully subvert our mainstream expectations to deliver a zany absurdist comedy that the duo originally and proudly envisioned, resulting into an offbeat clownery that has no interest in using the conventional comedic tropes and boldly disregards any form of logic that even if one tries to question it, they would be considered as a pathetic killjoy.
The tone of the film is reminiscent of those insanely goofy 90s comedies we repeatedly watch on TV–silly but appealing. Its unrestricted quirkiness is just too good that one can't help but anticipate every minute what gag they will deliver next. Plus, the overly bright, saturated colors, lively oceanside architecture, and the Carribean music perfectly complement the film's wacky nature.
The sheer quirkiness of Barb and Star never really wears off due to the comedy-duo's pitch-perfect performances. Mumolo and Wiig certainly had a great time portraying their titular characters, effortlessly flexing their own brilliant comedic skills to the audiences and to each other like good ol’ pros. Not to mention that their real-life friendship adds authenticity to their character’s on screen relationship, providing a sweetly affectionate depiction of the “BFF” term.
These women also didn’t just treat their characters as some silly caricatures of middle-aged white women. They don’t just spit stupid quirky lines but instead fleshes them out as fully-realized characters to make sure that these are real women with real honest feelings. The theme of friendship really shines on this one as Barb and Star's adventure on Vista del Mar really test, and eventually strengthens, their relationship with one another. After all, this is a movie about them having fun, taking risks, and regaining their "shimmer".
Jamie Dornan performing his musical number (“Edgar’s Prayer”).
However, the real standout here is not actually them, but Jamie Dornan and his surprisingly great comedic performance as a lovelorn himbo spy. Best known for his Fifty Shades of Grey fame, Dornan actually got the confidence to show his muscles in the film, physically, comically, and even vocally. One of his most memorable moments involves him suddenly performing a power ballad while dancing, leaping, doing splits, and twirling like a baby ballerina. His knack of displaying comedic chops and timing is perfectly brilliant, casually going along with the movie's quirky sense of humor.
All that said, the movie also has some few noticeable flaws. The evil villain subplot could use a bit more edge and the overindulgence to silliness can be exhausting for a while as it sometimes loses its steam. It flows from one silly gag to another, churning out any possible weird and quirky stuff they can think of just to support its 107-minute runtime. Random bits came out of nowhere (a talking crab and an orchestra of musical mice, just to name a few), which some are close to comedic brilliance, while some are just flat-out duds. Nonetheless, the humor is so unpredictable that even the most impatient viewers will likely to stay until the end just to witness its incredibly great punchlines.
While flawed, Barb and Star’s adventure felt like a trippy but lighthearted vacation we all need and deserve during these dark times. If the comedy-duo could make another one of these, hopefully a series of movies featuring Barb and Star's different adventures, that would be great. Friendship, vacation, culottes!
Barb and Star Go to Vista Del Mar is now available via premium video on demand.
