Barb and Star Go To Vista Del Mar Is My Perfect Valentine’s Movie

Recently the Los Angeles Film Critics Association held a theatrical showing of Barb and Star Go to Vista Del Mar, one of the few times the pandemic released film starring Kristen Wiig (SNL 50), Jamie Dornan (The Tourist) and Annie Mumolo (co-writer with Wiig of Bridesmaids and an upcoming Disney villain movie) has been seen on the big screen.  As a lockdown casualty in 2021, the cult comedy film went straight to streaming and managed to add a little shimmer to a deeply grey time for those who happened upon it. The film has found itself a place in my heart ever since, as it ended up being my husband and I’s choice for a Valentine’s day movie in 2021.

Along with some recreationally enhanced chocolates, pizza and sushi delivery, it was probably the highlight of a very long shelter in place. Having a love for Bridesmaids and taking film twitter (RIP) lockdown movie recommendations was enough to pique our interest, we just didn’t know what to expect from Barb and Star going in, but it seemed like a good choice for the giggles we so desperately needed back then. The sheer bananas bonkers hijinks of two middle aged besties finding themselves at the center of an espionage musical with mutant killer mosquitos, a handsome leading man (Dornan) with an “I want” pop ballad, talking crabs who sound like Morgan Freeman, and water spirits on vacation was not it what we had in mind–but just what we needed. We hadn’t laughed that hard in a very long time because yes, all the nonsensical things I just casually strung together do actually happen in the movie, and it’s magical. Also: Jamie Dorman’s Edgar walked along the beached shores of Vista Del Mar so Ryan Gosling’s Ken could run on “the Malibu beach” in Barbie, and so Jonathan Bailey’s Fiyero could dance through life on screen in Wicked.

Finally seeing Barb and Star on the big screen with my husband four years later this past January with a crowd of fans was extra special ,because for so long it felt like the movie was just our thing. We had our little references, like exclaiming to each other in unison “Tommy Bahaaamaaa” whenever we would see a product from the brand while perusing for little treats at Home Goods, and praying to seagulls at the beach. Yes, we got weird looks–but watch the movie and you’ll get it. It’s an encapsulation of so many whimsical and weird things. Think Golden Girls friendship, meets Austin Powers spy action, meets The Muppets silly earnestness, a Looney Tunes sense of chaos with a dash of romcom, a sprinkle of elaborate showtunes about breasts, and complete with a delectably Disney-esque villain.

Being in a crowd laughing at the gags and one-liners (and of course “Edgar’s Prayer”) was a joyous arm flailing ruckus. It really reminded me of that fateful Valentine’s movie night I had–whether you’re celebrating with a partner you love or watching it with friends for a Galentine’s get-together it’s the perfect movie because at the heart of it all is the power of its titular character’s bond. Barb and Star has two heroines you can’t help but root for, who take on everything together from the mundane social judgement in their town’s talking club, to a determined mean baddie armed with a swarm of mutant mosquitos. Their love and trust for one another carries the film on camera and off, their relationship being the grounding point to zip you through the absurdist delights that keep rolling (and keep you laughing) one after the other.

Wiig and Mumolo created such a pair of unlikely surrealist heroes, it’s criminal that this comedy gem is so underseen and hasn’t spun off into more projects. It’s one of the best things to come from the SNL alum ranks in ages, and it has at least left a mark on original comedies that will follow. “I hope it inspires the next generation of Kristen and Annie’s to be like, ‘we should just make the movie we want to make,’” director Josh Greenbaum shared in a Q&A after that screening a few weeks ago. “It just a hit me tonight while I was sitting here, of how important and powerful really good friendships are. So I hope it just celebrates that.”

Mumolo, our beloved Barb, echoed the sentiment. “I think that we need so badly to laugh and I feel like we’ve almost forgotten. And when we made this movie, we laughed so much, and we all had a shared experience. We wanted to just do something joyous and so I would hope that people felt joy from it,” she added. “Just the laughter aspect to me is just so important. It just seems like we don’t get so much of it. And we have to fight for it, because it’s very healing for me to laugh and have this feeling.”

Barb and Star Go to Vista Del Mar is streaming on Hulu and Disney+, and is available on digital purchase platforms–just in time for you to turn it into a Valentines season tradition of your own.

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