***While I received pre-release access to the above title, opinions expressed are my own.***
As my wife and I watched the trailer for Netflix’s new film, The Starling, we each reacted differently.
She said, “Looks like I’ll need a box of Kleenex.”
I replied, “Oh, Melissa McCarthy’s in it – should be funny.”
As it turns out, both of us were right.
In fact, after watching the film, I’d say that everyone in the family (including our children) will carry unique lessons with them for having watched.
The Starling, premiering in select theatres on September 17th and on Netflix on September 24th, does contain dense, heavy topics like: loss, grief, mental health, depression, rebirth, and loneliness. But, the movie is also about funny, whimsy ideas like: a fiercely territorial bird, a defunct garden, a quirky clinician-turned-vet (played by Kevin Kline), the sarcastic comedic delivery of a scorned wife (Melissa McCarthy), and the endearing wit of her institutionalized husband (Chris O’Dowd).
I’d additionally note the strong personality in the film – the person tasked with “holding down the fort” – is McCarthy’s female lead. This traditional gender role reversal is an intentional flip to the “man as the steady stone” idea of serving the family during times of strife.
I spoke to The Starling’s directorial team, Ted Melfi and Kimberly Quinn, about these themes during a roundtable of bloggers:
With all of these messages under a backdrop of grief, parents might not think The Starling will make for a good, family friendly movie. I disagree – at least for elementary school-aged children and above. In fact, my kids asked so many insightful questions after viewing The Starling with me.
Everett (8) and Emersyn (6) asked about death, about depression, about birds, and about what Hostess Snowballs are (Yes, I’ve failed as a parent). The conversations generated in the minds of my six and eight year-old were remarkable. As important, the film showcased that a temporarily derailed marriage can right itself with two, committed partners fighting to make it work.
My kids loved the starling (the territorial bird).
My kids loved The Starling (the movie).
Most importantly, they grew wiser for having watched it.
As did I.
