Barb & Star Go To Vista Del Mar – A Ridiculous Yet Sincere Blast (Early Review)

2011’s Bridesmaids is easily one of the best comedies of the last decade, earning Kristen Wiig and Annie Mumolo an Academy Award nomination for Best Original Screenplay, not to mention a Best Supporting Actress nomination for Melissa McCarthy. While that film certainly set quite the high bar, Wiig and Mumolo’s follow up, Barb & Star Go To Vista Del Mar, where they also both star as the titular pairing, doesn’t reach those heights (not that it has to) but is still a hilarious comedy in its own right though will still be a divisive one. If anything, the film offers a temporary escape during these troubled times (perhaps explaining the release date being pushed up and the film releasing digitally), offering viewers a vibrant and colorful world and an overly-ridiculous yet entertaining story full of funky imagery and musical numbers. While it won’t be for everyone, it nevertheless shines off Wiig and Mumolo’s script, chemistry, and performances for better or worse. Meanwhile, they are not the only ones to bring laughs to the table here.

Barb & Star Go To Vista Del Mar is pretty self-explanatory in terms of its story though suffice it to say it’s something much more than that. Barb (Mumolo) and Star (Wiig) were a pair of lifelong friends in a middle-aged rut, living the same simple yet mundane lives in the same Midwestern town all of their lives. After an unfortunate turn of events, the friends were given the chance to turn things around and try something different in the form of a vacation to Vista Del Mar, Florida. Once they arrived, they were greeted by a vibrant and magical new world and got the kind of adventure they were looking for, however, Barb and Star would get much more than they bargained for. Their sincerity and excitement from getting to be in a new place was infectious to watch as the contrast between the two Midwestern women and their new colorful environment was an obvious well to tap for comedy. Though the film did not do so in a condescending way, it did get old fast. To the film’s credit, it did move away from this quickly enough as they were swallowed up by the admittedly ridiculous story in addition to theirs.

Without giving anything away, the most notable part of the story beyond Barb and Star was a man named Edgar (Dornan) whom they befriended at their hotel. Edgar found himself in a similar rut therefore they happened to find each other at the best time. The women were a breath of fresh air for him as they embarked on some hilarious adventures together. Barb and Star’s relationship was tested as they were pushed outside of their comfort zones. Their relationship changed as a result and that evolution was compelling to watch. Eventually becoming a third wheel, Edgar further complicated their relationship as each developed feelings for him. Little did Barb and Star know, there was a reason he was at the same hotel as them and that reason consumed them along with him. Flirting with danger, all this adversity brought them closer together towards a predictable end and a predictable lesson. In the end, the sincerity of the main characters helped make up for that.

Besides some impeccable production design, the best part of Barb & Star Go To Vista Del Mar was Wiig and Mumolo’s hilarious script and dialog along with their great performances and chemistry as the titular Barb and Star. The characters may take some getting used to as they lean heavily into Midwestern caricatures but not in a mean-spirited way and it’s easy to forget that fact rather quickly and be infatuated by their good-natured enthusiasm and positive outlook on life. Barb and Star were also fun to watch together as they got themselves into increasingly ridiculous situations. From there, the entertainment came from seeing how more ridiculous things could get. Wiig and Mumolo and their chemistry ultimately make it all work, creating a genuine friendship between these characters though being friends in real life helps. That being said, they still had their own individual moments to shine. Last but certainly not least, a big takeaway should be Dornan’s scene-stealing performance as Edgar. For reasons that are too spoilery to mention, he excels in a role that is much different than we are accustomed to seeing from him. Let’s just say that people will be talking about him.

At the end of the day, Barb & Star Go To Vista Del Mar is a comedy that will is destined to put smiles on viewer’s faces and sometimes that’s good enough.

still courtesy of Lionsgate

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Keith Noakes

The EIC of the coincidentally-named keithlovesmovies.com. A Canadian who prefers to get out of the cold and into the warmth of a movie theatre.