The Starling

About The Starling

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• About
• Making / Production
• Actors
• Trivia / Interesting Facts
• Awards
• Quotes
• Music / Soundtrack

About

The Starling is a drama film released in 2021. The movie explores themes of grief, healing, and the power of human connection. Directed by Theodore Melfi and written by Matt Harris, the film stars Melissa McCarthy as Lilly Maynard and Chris O'Dowd as Jack Maynard. It tells the story of a married couple struggling to cope with the loss of their infant daughter.

The plot centers around Lilly, who retreats into herself following their daughter's death, while Jack checks into a psychiatric facility to seek help for his own mental health. As they navigate their individual journeys towards healing, Lilly finds solace in nurturing a starling bird that has taken up residence in her backyard.

The Starling is a heart-wrenching yet uplifting story that explores grief, healing, and the unexpected sources of support and strength that can emerge in difficult times.

Making / Production

The Starling was produced by Boies/Schiller Film Group and Entertainment One. It was filmed on location in New York and was produced on a budget of approximately $20 million.

Theodore Melfi, known for his work on films like Hidden Figures and St. Vincent, was chosen to direct the film. Melfi had a personal connection to the story, having experienced the loss of a child himself. He worked closely with writer Matt Harris to develop the script and bring the emotional depth of the story to life.

The film's production team also collaborated with experts in avian behavior to ensure the accurate portrayal of the starling bird and its interactions with the characters.

Actors

• Melissa McCarthy as Lilly Maynard - McCarthy delivers a powerful and emotionally charged performance as Lilly, capturing the depth of grief and the resilience of the human spirit.
• Chris O'Dowd as Jack Maynard - O'Dowd portrays Jack with sensitivity and depth, portraying the complexities of mental health struggles.

Trivia / Interesting Facts

• The Starling was initially announced in 2017 and underwent several cast and director changes before filming began.
• The film's script was inspired by a real-life experience of screenwriter Matt Harris, who found solace in nature after the loss of a loved one.
• The starling bird featured in the film was trained by professional animal trainers to ensure its safety and comfort during filming.

Awards

The Starling has not yet received any significant awards as of now.

Quotes

• "Sometimes healing comes from the most unexpected places." - Lilly Maynard
• "We can't erase the pain, but we can find ways to carry it." - Jack Maynard

Music / Soundtrack

• The soundtrack for The Starling features a collection of emotionally charged songs that enhance the film's themes of healing and hope. Artists like Bon Iver, Sufjan Stevens, and Phoebe Bridgers contribute tracks that perfectly complement the mood of the movie.
• Notable songs from the film include "Holocene" by Bon Iver, "Death With Dignity" by Sufjan Stevens, and "Motion Sickness" by Phoebe Bridgers.