Despite a strong cast and exceptional talent behind the camera, the reception for the new Melissa McCarthy movie The Starling has been overwhelmingly poor. Although stars such as McCarthy, Chris O'Dowd, and former Hitman lead Timothy Olyphant would normally be expected to shine in any role, this particular feature has been a resounding dud with critics. However, the negative reception is down to much more than the actors involved.
The plot of the movie revolves around a married couple, played by McCarthy and O'Dowd, who struggle to come to terms with a tragedy in their lives. As O'Dowd recovers in a mental health facility, McCarthy finds solace with a veterinarian-come-psychiatrist who helps her to process her own grief. All the while, McCarthy attempts to deal with the aggressive territorial behavior of a starling in her back garden. The movie is directed by Theodore Melfi, who is probably best known for his work on hits such as Hidden Figures and St Vincent – in which McCarthy and O'Dowd also starred.
Although the array of talent involved is undeniably impressive, the film has failed to live up to its billing. The Starling currently holds a dismal 22% "Rotten" score on Rotten Tomatoes, indicating a poor response. Generally, criticism has focused on the film's over-reliance on melodrama and a sense that any emotional moments feel hugely undermined by an overly sentimental tone. In particular, many critics have taken issue with the movie's lack of subtlety and seemingly deliberate attempts to manipulate the audience. Here are some of the most negative reactions to the film:
"A mawkish melodrama...the whole thing felt unearned."
"Screenwriter Matt Harris' overreliance on whimsy and a seemingly desperate need to tug at our hearts - instead of our minds - undercuts the film's more valid situations and sentiments."
"The film's greatest downfall resides in its inability to form a single coherent thought. It is a real shame as there was great potential here, sadly squandered on a series of risibly weak metaphor-heavy ideas."
However, while there's no doubt that The Starling is a failure for many, some critics are more frustrated because of the film's undoubted potential. In fact, several prominent film writers have gone out of their way to praise genuine moments of emotional resonance that are continually undercut by the rest of the movie's heavy-handedness. For example, here are a few of the more sympathetic responses to The Starling:
"The enjoyment of watching this modest melodrama is implicitly connected to a giddy acknowledgement that there remains a bold class of film-maker willing to blow $20 million on a low-key tale of grief for grown-ups."
"This calculated tearjerker is heavy on emotional symbolism but offers a showcase for its two impressive lead actors, Melissa McCarthy and Chris O'Dowd."
Given the movie's feeble score on Rotten Tomatoes, it's clear that many professional critics are not impressed. However, there are indications that the movie is resonating more effectively with audiences, currently scoring 7.5 out of 10 on IMDb. This suggests that, despite some significant negativity, The Starling may yet find an audience.
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