The film centers on Lilly (Melissa McCarthy) and Jack (Chris O'Dowd), a couple whose lives are shattered after the loss of their infant daughter. Jack is hospitalized in a psychiatric facility, while Lilly remains at home, where she begins an adversarial relationship with a territorial starling in her garden. 1. The Cast's Heavy Lifting
💡 : The Starling is best suited for viewers who appreciate sentimental, character-driven dramas and don't mind a "Hallmark" aesthetic. If you prefer gritty, realistic explorations of grief (like Manchester by the Sea ), this film’s whimsical tone may feel "unearned".
: As Larry, a veterinarian and former psychiatrist, Kline provides a pragmatic counterpoint to Lilly’s grief. The Starling
: Both actors pivot away from their typical comedic personas to deliver raw, "believable" performances.
Critics largely agree that the performances are the film's strongest asset. The film centers on Lilly (Melissa McCarthy) and
The titular starling serves as a persistent, sometimes distracting, metaphor for life's "unpredictable" and "aggressive" nature.
: The bird represents the grief that "swoops down" and picks at Lilly’s sanity. The Cast's Heavy Lifting 💡 : The Starling
The biggest point of contention is the film’s "quirky dramedy" vibe juxtaposed against suicide and child loss.