The Starling

The Starling is trying to be a feel-good movie about finding hope in dark times. That’s admirable, but the main problem is that it does it in such a down-the-middle, straightforward way. As a result, there aren’t any surprises and at least a few missed opportunities. Still, Melissa McCarthy and Kevin Kline are worth the price of admission alone.

It’s nice to see McCarthy and O’Dowd in roles that showcase their emotional range; one just wishes it were in a project worthy of their talents.

It may seem churlish to knock a film that works so hard to present everyday, well-meaning folks facing unspeakable, real-life pain. But between the picture’s uncertain tone, quirky-for-quirk’s-sake elements and such self-conscious dialogue as “What color is the sky in your world, kemo sabe?” it’s tough to be all that supportive.

The performances are as deflated as the subject matter, which, considering the caliber of the players and the track record of the director, points back to the script.

It will provide a fun discussion on what went wrong, rather than what went right, and that conversation will give more joy, story, and clarity than the film itself.

McCarthy is one of our finest physical comedians. Every moment of physical comedy she performs here is cringey.

Every implausible scene, every unconvincing character, every contrived dollop of symbolism, every toe-curlingly misjudged and unearned emotional climax seems as if it has been concocted in some secret bio-warfare lab for assaulting your mind with pure, toxic nonsense.

[SPOILER ALERT: This review contains spoilers.]

Great movie and I love it so much and I’m glad you guys watching it this weekend

Es una película de Netflix con Melissa McCarthy; la trama es simple y las actuaciones son decentes; es bastante olvidable.

The concept of this film is as absurd as you’d expect…healing thru an avian friendship. Melissa McCarthy and Chris O’Dowd play a happy couple until an unfortunate event devastates their lives. While he struggles in a psychiatric facility, she starts to face her grief with the help of an especially aggressive bird in her garden. Although their performances are acceptable, the only bright spot is the veterinarian, played by a charmingly amusing Kevin Kline. Otherwise, the narrative is painfully predictable, while the dialogue doesn’t add any depth. The hokey symbolism that parallels her relationship with the bird is a contrived and downright dumb attempt that feels like it’s dragging the bottom of Hallmark Channel rejects.

bad [ bad ] adjective, worse, worst;(Slang) bad·der, bad·dest for 36. not good in any manner or degree.