The Starling Girl

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.