The Starling 2021

Jack and Lily Maynard find themselves grappling with the heartbreaking loss of their infant daughter to Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). As Jack spends his days in a residential mental health hospital, Lily endures the silence of their home, carrying the heavy burden of grief alone.

Determined to hold everything together for Jack’s anticipated return from the facility, Lily juggles her responsibilities at work in a grocery store while striving to maintain their home. However, her struggle intensifies when a relentless starling decides to nest in a tree in her backyard, turning into a source of constant harassment. This unexpected foe not only disturbs her peace but also becomes an obsession as she becomes fixated on eliminating the nuisance. In addition to this chaos, she embarks on two-hour trips each week to visit Jack, filled with doubts about whether he truly wishes to come home and how their lives will be once reunited.

In a pivotal moment, a counselor at Jack’s hospital advises Lily to seek help for her own mental health before her husband’s release. This guidance leads her to the office of Dr. Larry Fine, played by the eccentric Kevin Kline, a psychiatrist turned veterinarian. Their meeting sparks a unique, unexpected bond as they navigate their mental health challenges together. Larry becomes an invaluable ally, helping Lily to deal with the relentless starling while also encouraging her to face her grief head-on during their sessions.

As the story unfolds, Lily finds herself growing emotionally attached to the obstinate starling. This complicated relationship takes a turn when, during a moment of frustration, she accidentally injures the bird with a thrown stone. In desperation, she seeks Larry’s guidance in nursing the bird back to health. Through this experience, their connection strengthens, and Lily learns to deal with her feelings of loss while also discovering compassion for the creature that initially plagued her.

Eventually, the starling recovers and is set free, marking a significant emotional transition for Lily; both she and the bird learn to coexist without hostility. As Jack returns home, he and Lily work to mend their relationship, confronting their pain together as they embrace the challenges of life ahead. The film draws to a close with a serene scene of them tending to their garden, lovingly observed by the starling, who continues to stay nearby, signifying new beginnings and hope amid their ongoing journey.