The Starling Girl (2023) User Reviews

The Starling girl grows up

[pbczf · 8/10 · 18 July 2023]

This coming-of-age drama follows Jem Starling as she becomes an adult--or at least starts to become an adult. It explores the conflict between Jem's growing awareness of her body and its needs and the beliefs of the fundamentalist church that plays a large part in her life and her family's life. Her family is also a source of conflict: before his conversion, her father had been a musician with a steady gig at a bar in Memphis, and the temptations of sex, drugs, and rock 'n' roll return after the suicide of one of his former band members. What music is for her father, dance is for Jem and she contrives to lead the church's dance troupe by charming Owen, the church's youth pastor who has just returned from Puerto Rico. Eventually, Owen and Jem begin an affair that is transgressive in almost every possible way: Owen is married, he is the brother of Ben, who is officially courting Jem, and both Owen and Ben are the sons of the church's pastor. The ending is pleasantly ambiguous: we see that Jem follows her powerful need to know about the world and what her place in it ought to be, but not exactly where that takes her.

The cast is very good and Eliza Scanlen, who is in almost every scene, makes a good Jem. Wrenn Schmidt is also excellent as Heidi, Jem's mother who is trying to hold a large family together while her husband and her eldest daughter lose their minds. For many viewers, a fundamentalist church in Kentucky might seem an 'exotic' milieu, but the film doesn't treat its characters like the subjects of an ethnographic expedition. The first half of the film sets the scene at a leisurely pace, but tensions build in the second half as we wonder when the lovers will be discovered and what the consequences will be.

A great coming of age film

[darkreignn · 8/10 · 16 January 2024]

Good coming of age movies leave you feeling hopeful for the future of the characters that inhabit the world of the film; great coming of age films have the confidence to leave its audience conflicted - perhaps things will work out well, but perhaps not, and only time will tell. "The Starling Girl" is a great coming of age story that manages to be heartwarming while simultaneously leaving viewers feeling slightly apprehensive as to what will happen to its characters going forward.

Starring Eliza Scanlen as Jem Starling, "The Starling Girl" follows Jem as she traverses a sort of hazardous upbringing; you see, Jem lives in present day Kentucky, but as her parents are fundamentalist Christians, you'd be forgiven for thinking the movie takes place in the 1970s, at least at first. Jem is allowed no cell phones, no computers, and, no freedom. For all intents and purposes, her life revolves around her church and her faith. And besides little annoyances or two from overzealous church members, Jem doesn't seem to mind this lifestyle. That is, until Owen Taylor, played by Lewis Pullman, comes into the picture. The newest youth pastor, Jem quickly finds herself having a small crush on Own that develops into a full-fledged romance - this is particularly troublesome, given that Own is a married man. From here on out, "The Starling Girl" follows Jem as she navigates the treacherous waters of adultery, abusive parents, and the fight for newfound freedom from fundamentalist Christianity.

"The Starling Girl" was right up my alley, as I have an affinity for both coming of age movies and depictions - both positive and negative - of faith in film. Admittedly, it is easy to nitpick movies that perhaps don't cast the best light on Christianity; however, I feel as if "The Starling Girl" was fair in its presentation - not every member of Jem's church seemed to be as strict as her parents (or to be more accurate, her mother). However, because Jem's parents are so strict, the film is absolutely riveting as Jem tries to juggle her faith with her romantic feelings toward Owen. It's a really intense build up as they both slowly fall for each other, and by the time they share their first kiss? Oh boy - "The Starling Girl" just gets even more gut-wrenching from their on out.

It's hard for a coming of age drama to have me gripping my seat as much as an action movie would, but "The Starling Girl" is absolutely white knuckle. As Jem and Own fall deeper into the rabbit hole of lustful thoughts and actions, things start to spiral out of control through a series of events that had me literally holding my breath at points. I'm telling you, not since "Whiplash" has a drama effected me this much. And the performances only add to this effect, as everyone in this movie is pitch-perfect, portraying an entire range of human emotions as relatabley and effortlessly as possible.

My only complain, as I mentioned in my opening paragraph, is that the ending isn't as clear cut as I'd have hoped. Things may work out well for Jem, but they very well may not. That said, I completely understand what they were going for, and the apprehension I feel is completely within the realm of reality; nothing in this movie feels like a fantasy - it all feels real, including the ending. And ultimately, I loved this movie. "The Starling Girl" is one of the best movies I've watched in 2024 so far, and I am actively looking forward to watching it again.

HEAP PRAISES UPON SCANLEN...!

[masonfisk · 8/10 · 10 December 2023]

From earlier this year comes this account of a fundamentalist girl's, played by Little Women's Eliza Scanlen, struggle to maintain her faith. Opening up on a dance performance in front of their congregation, Scanlen's immediately reprimanded for having her bra showing through her dance top. We then go into her family life where her brethren are many & her parents, For All Mankind Wren Schmidt & Jimmi Simpson, rule the roost w/iron fists. Into this dynamic comes a new visitor in the form of the pastor's, Homicide's Kyle Secor, son, Lewis Pullman, which raises Scanlen's ardor even though he's already married & his wife is pregnant. Simpson, who used to be in a 'regular' band, falls off the wagon due to his own pressures which when the reveal comes about Pullman & Scanlen's clutch prompts the parents to force her to quit the dance troupe which puts the couple in panic mode (Pullman declares his separation from his wife) & running off happily into the sunset or will they? Writer/director Laurel Parmet captures a potent tale of the flyover states where maybe the standard trajectory of one's community may not be for all w/Scanlen, who continues to impress in her performances (check her out in the HBO limited series Sharp Objects), who carries the weight of the narrative on her ample shoulders abetted by strong support from the other players.

A Little Predictable But Nicely Handled

[brentsbulletinboard · 7/10 · 16 January 2024]

What's required to attain acceptance from others? That's a tricky question, especially for those who are going through the coming of age process. It can be even more confounding for those who are part of a community that demands rigid conformity on an array of fronts. So it is for 17-year-old Jem Starling (Eliza Scanlen), a questioning young woman from a small Kentucky fundamentalist community. She wants to fit in, but she also endeavors to know herself, a quest that carries with it some puzzling yet innate contradictions, many of which are brought front and center when she begins to develop feelings for her married youth pastor (Lewis Pullman), a connection based on emotions that turn out to be mutual. But what is Jem to do - follow her heart or squelch the burgeoning passions surfacing within her, both romantically and in her other secular interests? That's the story that plays out as she attempts to get in touch with her inner being. However, is she seeking to let her true self emerge, or is she succumbing to the wicked manipulations of Satan, as her family and fellow parishioners try to convince her? Independent Spirit Award-nominated writer-director Laurel Parmet's debut feature deftly handles these themes, even if they seem a little predictable, familiar and stretched out at times. The picture's surprisingly inconsistent cinematography sometimes hampers the flow of the narrative, too, with some scenes that are beautifully shot and others that are needlessly and almost indecipherably dark (atmosphere is one thing, but the patent mishandling of this element is something else entirely). Nevertheless, these shortcomings are aptly covered by the fine performances of the film's stellar cast, especially Scanlan, Pullman, and Jimmi Simpson and Wrenn Schmidt as Jem's dysfunctional parents. "The Starling Girl" may not be groundbreakingly original, but it reminds us of the importance of being ourselves, no matter what that might entail - and the cost that can come from failing to follow our hearts.

Enjoyable

[elision10 · 7/10 · 2 February 2024]

I always suspect in a movie about conservative Christians they are going to be portrayed as small-minded and hypocritical, and that their faith is a lie. And my expectations were not entirely dashed in this film. But there's enough sensitivity and nuance here that I felt like there were sufficient characters, including the lead, who were honestly wrestling with their faith, and the temptations of the secular world. The plot, if somewhat predictable, kept this viewer interested,. The lead was a good combination of the strong, young adult, and the childhood she was just leaving. I certainly recommend watching it at the free Kanopy service.

Brilliant, do not miss.

[zampino-359-446228 · 10/10 · 28 February 2023]

Taking place in beautiful green Kentucky in a Christian fundamentalist community The Starling Girl pulls you in from the jump. It is nothing like what you might expect. Eliza Scanlan and Lewis Pullman are the the stars in first time writer/director Laurel Pamet's first feature film and it is a brilliant debut. A coming of age film, that becomes a tight psychological thriller, that becomes a meditation on life and God and a woman's place in the world. This film hits all the marks from costumes and production design, to stunning cinematography, to great music and masterful editing. There is nothing about this film that is ordinary or mundane. This is a a do not miss movie that will surely become a classic.

I am not even sure how to rate this ...

[srgymrat33 · 7/10 · 3 August 2023]

First of all the positives :

The cast was great - every single person pulled off the role seamlessly and had to much "chemistry " between them . The set design was great , accents were great and the concept behind the movie as a whole was good and thought provoking - I was bought in start to finish and felt like it was paced well .

My complaint comes in with that I actually think the relationship being with a 28 year old youth pastor took away from the main message that was trying to be portrayed , it left me as the viewer confused about what I was supposed to be taking with me from this film .

I liked very much the idea of questioning of faith , a conservative community having a strong double standard and the hold communities like this have on individuals and families - this was all done and developed very well . The backstory of the dad , relationship between the parents and the idea of a courtship at 17 were great . Jems naivety as well was very well portrayed .I thought the scene where Owen asks here where in the world she would want to live and she states that she wants to stay in Kentucky underlined this part of her character . I understand that women / people in this situation are under educated and therefore are easily swayed by leadership but I think that should be a separate movie .

The movie took too much focus away from these amazing subtleties by adding a totally inappropriate relationship - I think if Owen had been a 17 year old kid she met at the arcade that actually would have helped keep the focus where it should have been and made it more powerful - so so many narratives happening at the same time I had a hard time focusing the way I wanted because I was so frustrated and disgusted by Owens relationship with a teenager and then his ending .

The end of the movie for Jem was brilliant and I think they killed that with the music and the bar and the becoming independent in some small way and leaving ends loose . It made me think , it drew me in and I appreciate what the filmmakers did here .

Quiet, thoughtful, reflective and powerful

[jennmlandry · 10/10 · 16 July 2023]

This movie broke me. Maybe you need to personally relate to the content, but the way in which the relationship between Jem and Own is crafted is nuanced and relatable. The trauma that comes with religious upbringing is powerfully displayed in this movie. In the hands of the screenwriter, director and actors it is deftly dealt with, without forcing an agenda down your throat one way or the other. Pullman and Scanlen achieve the necessary chemistry that you're wholly along for the journey and seem to understand both sides, even if there is a clear villain in this tale. This movie had me thinking about it nonstop for a week now...don't know what my entire conclusion is yet, but I'm so glad it was made.

Well acted coming of age story

[zack_gideon · 6/10 · 16 July 2023]

The plot in and of itself is very simple and has been done many times. Young girl, oppressed - finds her identity through trials and tribulations. It's really a story as old as time itself, so that's not the real focus of this film. The acting and character development is what to focus on while watching.

The setting is mostly outdoor rural Kentucky, within a very strict Christian fundamentalist community, which I found unique and interesting. The focus of the film is the subtle changes in the young girl main protagonist. It's almost like watching a slow motion train wreck, for her and the immature pastor.

Overall it's a slow burn, hard to really review. I just enjoyed the overall ambience and acting. Everything else for me I could take or leave it, but it was entertaining. 5.9/10.

Beautiful camerawork but impact isn't as strong as it thinks

[chenp-54708 · 4/10 · 7 February 2023]

Saw this at the 2023 Sundance Film Festival

"The Starling Girl" is a movie about 17-year-old Jem Starling struggles with her place within her Christian fundamentalist community. But everything changes when her magnetic youth pastor Owen returns to their church. It clears the director is trying her best to capture the struggles and dark sides of the Christian fundamentalist community but the film doesn't really have a strong impact as it thinks it does due to the storyline being predictable and characters that weren't fully investable.

Throughout, the production and camerawork is pretty good as it helps to bring the settling of isolation and control throughout the main characters environment. The performance from Eliza Scanlen is pretty great and there are some narrative aspects that were pretty interesting. Unfortunately, the positive aspects were overshadowed with a story that has a very predictable setting and characters that aren't interesting to care for.

The characters felt wooden to the point it was difficult to really care much about them. The pacing struggles, some of the other performances were really bad and the dialogue moments felt like they were written from a poor student project at times.

There is a lot of potential that is missed and I really do feel like this movie would have been an pretty good and be considered a hidden gem. But it didn't work as well.

Rating: C.

One of the years best films

[threenails10 · 9/10 · 30 May 2023]

I grew up in a Christian home so I can relate to these characters here. Feelings wandering, conflicting when it comes to what's right and wrong. I have no doubts there will be Christians seeking everyone to avoid this near masterpiece of film. It struck all the right cords. It's a very impressive debut for this new director. I wish more first time filmmakers made films this great but they come few and far between. I can see this one becoming an awards contender perhaps if it doesn't stir up too much controversy but I doubt that will happen. This one is likely to remain a hidden gem but it deserves a watch at least once especially for the incredible performances all around, the music, the atmosphere and cinematography are all on point here. Not sure entirely what kept this from being a perfect film but it almost reaches that. All in all though this is definitely one of the years best so far and is worth seeking out for film lovers and those who struggle with beliefs in religion.

Severely Lacking Any Emotional Connections Other Than Those At The Surface

[zkonedog · 2/10 · 26 May 2023]

From the trailer, "The Starling Girl" promises a coming-of-age tale (entwined with religion) featuring a remarkably star-studded cast for a smaller project. Unfortunately, not even such an assemblage of acting talent can save "Starling Girl" from its utter lack of emotional depth beyond what is present at the surface level.

For a very basic overview, "Starling Girl" tells the story of Jem (Eliza Scanlen), an adolescent girl who harbors a crush on youth pastor Owen (Lewis Pullman). When the crush becomes "something more"--and Jem's fundamentalist mother (Wrenn Schmidt) and depressive father (Jimmi Simpson) complicate things--Jem is pulled into a rabbit hole of new emotions and real-world complications.

My ratings of 3-stars or less are usually pretty few and far between, but this one dropped below that threshold due to an utter lack of real emotional connection to the characters. All the scenarios are--on the surface--both plausible and harboring much dramatic weight, not none of it is mined properly. Every character and theme (like organized religion, for instance) is given a surface-level treatment and nothing more. Despite being interested in the actors, setting, and general content, I found myself fairly substantially bored 40 minutes in and it only drug out from there.

"The Starling Girl" is also a film that understandably falls on the shoulders of Scanlen in the lead role. If viewers do not 100% identify with her thoughts/feelings, all is lost. While Scanlen herself seems up to that task, there are no supporting elements present. Great talents like Simpson and Schmidt are wasted in puzzling utilizations that hint at interesting material but don't take a step further with it.

In the final reckoning, I wonder if perhaps "The Starling Girl" is a film that tries to be too many things and thus never took the time to focus on being really solid in any one aspect. Themes of coming-of-age, religion, grooming, depression, and isolationism (based on the setting) are certainly present, but from beginning to end I never really put my finger on what the overall experience was supposed to be about.

A Compelling and Compassionate Drama about Faith and Desire

[ergo-58534 · 10/10 · 15 July 2023]

The Starling Girl is a remarkable debut feature from writer-director Laurel Parmet, who explores the complex and nuanced themes of faith, desire, identity and agency in a fundamentalist Christian setting. The film is anchored by a stunning performance from Eliza Scanlen as Jem Starling, a teenager who is torn between her devotion to her family and church and her attraction to her charismatic youth pastor Owen (Lewis Pullman). Parmet avoids easy judgments or stereotypes, and instead portrays the characters and their community with empathy and authenticity. The film also benefits from a rich cinematography by Brian Lannin, who captures the beauty and contrast of the rural Kentucky landscape, and a haunting score by Lord Huron, who create an atmospheric and emotional soundtrack. The Starling Girl is a powerful and provocative film that challenges and engages the viewer, and announces Parmet as a promising new voice in American cinema.

Underrated tale of breaking away

[jshea-59600 · 8/10 · 30 March 2024]

This is a story about a young woman who grows up in a tightly-knit, restrictive religious community who ultimately has to choose between sticking with her faith and family, versus breaking away and becoming her true self. It's an old story (although more often told about a young man). But the telling here is heartfelt, sympathetic and often surprising. Eliza Scanlen is outstanding as the protagonist Jem Starling--she reminds me of a young Sissy Spacek.

Christian conservatives are likely to dislike this film, and I can see that some of them are giving it extremely low ratings to dampen its appeal. While I can't speak from their point of view, I didn't feel that this film mocked religion. This is not the kind of on-the-nose, cartoon satire of religion often offered by Hollywood.

Soulless Ennui. Frustrated Incorporated

[MaggieQ-public · 1/10 · 28 May 2023]

First, the story line of Starling Girl lacks any real surprise. What you see is what you get. And because of this, throughout this film you are merely waiting for the other shoe to drop. But maybe because we're all cynically desensitized with the depiction of power imbalances that the premise alone doesn't surprise you. Secondly, if a filmmaker is really trying to say something unique about America's sacred traditions like what happens in a church, if it's not to grab a headline and be scandalous about teen sex, organized religion and the dastardly deeds of the patriarchy of men, please...please..please tell it creatively, in a unique way, with a unique voice. With a unique way all your own.

Here's a film set in a remote Kentucky community. This community's whole life revolves around their church. And if one does anything unbecoming in this community, everyone will know about it and will judge you and ostracize you.

Starling's particular focus is on a 17 year girl well into puberty who's discovering her "sexuality." She wants to lead a dance at the church and show off her talent. The people at the church don't want this. But of course, there's a "young, gorgeous, youth pastor, who's done missionary work in Puerto Rico," and has just come home. They meet and the 17 year old heroine's hormones start exploding. The "hunky, soulful" youth pastor's hormones explode as well. Of course, to add to the scandal, the youth pastor also has a wife. Scandal! Sex! Power! Control!

The story of Starling Girl touches on this communities' belief's and how it is not supposedly in step with those around them this movie depicts this community as rigid and strict. If you want to do something out of the ordinary, they won't allow it.

And here's the bigger metaphor and irony with Starling Girl...the bigger picture: The sentiments of this film is not an outlier but rather another indictment on Sundance on who they've become, a community entity that only allows the voices within thier own narrow scope of what they see as worthy storytelling. Remember when Sundance was edgy and home grown? Now it is corporate and has been taken over by brands. It's what Soul Asylum called: Frustrated Incorporated. Starling Girl feels branded and, like its progenitor, Sundance, it is inspired by brand marketers trying to reach a demographic, and is soulless in its output. Like the Starling Girl director, they seek "new voices" but much of these voices seem to have very little NEW to say and very little talent.

Movies like this used to feel like little touch stones. Now they are given that Sundance polish of soulless ennui. Dear Sundance, when you look for "fresh voices" look for voices with something actual to say.

Not the movie I thought it was

[constanza-nm · 5/10 · 12 February 2024]

All that I knew about this movie is that it was a coming of age story about a teenager growing up on a very religious family. That in itself, at least for me, it's interesting enough. The premise of the film, especially with how beautiful it looks, is really good. But it quickly diverts from that into this very inappropriate relationship between the protagonist and her mentor and it lingers on that. It becomes the story about a young girl having an "affair" with and older married man. There's clearly a power dynamic there and is never discussed. What is actually the message here? I wonder. I think it could've been so much better if they focused on her journey without this "romance", because everything ended up revolving around that. It feels so unnecessary when everything else happening to her is quite compelling as it is.