by Shane Conto, Staff Writer
Who can resist a rollercoaster of a film that takes you on an emotional journey? We all love films that balance a healthy dose of melodrama (but it must be just enough) with a relatable story (that doesn’t go too far into ridiculousness). Netflix has plenty of talent packed into their dramedy, The Starling, and they hope to capture the magic that put them on the spot in the first place. Melissa McCarthy. Chris O’Dowd. KEVIN KLINE. So many actors who have plenty of talent to leverage in creating characters we can love and feel for. But the real question is… does The Starling deliver?
What needs to come first is, why does this film have a title like The Starling? The main story focuses on the differing coping techniques that a married couple take to process horrible loss. O’Dowd is the husband who has checked into a center to find wellness through support. McCarthy tries to take on all this grief on her own while trying to see her husband regularly. But where does a bird fit into this equation? McCarthy tries to mind her business and garden outside their quiet home when… CGI birds strike! Director Theodore Melfi delivers multiple sequences throughout the film featuring these unconvincing birds, which progressively get more absurd. This film is branded as a “Comedy-Drama,” but when your humor just focuses on the awkward and strange sequences of McCarthy violently being hit in the face by birds, it might be a better idea to focus on the drama.
But what makes these elements of the film ineffective? First off, the birds just look bad and do not look convincing. The humor is non-existent as well, because these scenes are just silly and undermine the emotional core of the narrative. How do you connect to this story of loss and grief when your journey is upended so we can watch CGI birds ram into McCarthy’s face and see her flop her body around? (I never wished to see her reduced down to this ineffective slapstick ever again) This tonal inconsistency does wonders in breaking down the emotional flow of the story. Throw in an overtly sentimental score and other scenes that feel staged and you have a “drama” that is shaken, but a lack of resonance.
Are there some elements that offset these unfortunate shortcomings? Despite a shaky and ineffective narrative, the cast really give it their all. McCarthy is a talent worth watching… even if many of her scenes are shaken by the presence of silly CGI blobs to the face. Her chemistry with Kline (a former therapist turned vet, which is honestly a contrived idea that just feels forced) is undeniable at least. I can honestly just watch Kline do anything and it will be a warm and effective addition to most films. Even if their pairing together is not always the most convincing, O’Dowd gives an emotional and connective performance that will grab the attention of the audience.
How would you describe The Starling? Silly. Pretty silly. Is that the way you want to be describing a film centered on a loss of a loved one? Probably not. Due to this awkward tonal approach and lack of emotional depth, this film feels a bit emotionally immature. If you enjoy a sappy ride for your films, give this one a stream on Netflix. But if that sappiness turns you off from a project, get far away from The Starling (well out of dive-bombing range).
Grade: C-