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The Starling movie cover Movie Locations Guide

Where was The Starling filmed?

2021

City Locations

New York, Calabasas (USA)

Location Types

House, Hospital, Storefront, Farm

Location Styles

Southern, Mid-century Modern, Rustic

About The Starling

Theodore Melfi directed The Starling, starring remarkable performances by Melissa McCarthy, Chris O'Dowd, and Timothy Olyphant. The fantasy comedy-drama tells an uplifting love story while highlighting how relationships can bring those who have faced heartbreaking ordeals together. After losing their baby daughter to sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), Jack (Chris O'Dowd) and his wife Lilly (Melissa McCarthy) try to cope with the grief. Jack gets confined to a residential mental hospital while Lilly is left to pick up the pieces alone at home. In her search for healing, Lilly takes up gardening; however, she soon discovers the obstacle of an unruly starling thwarting her efforts. Dr. Larry Fine (Kevin Kline), who is in a transitional journey from being a veterinarian to a psychologist, comes to her aid. He offers her invaluable insight into understanding bird behavior which guides Lilly on a journey of self-recovery. The Starling was released in 2021 and the movie earned two awards. It won the Alliance of Women Film Journalists for She Deserves a New Agent (Melissa McCarthy) and Humanitas Prize for Drama Feature Film (Matt Harris).

The Starling Locations

The Starling production team made use of several filming locations around Calabasas and the Santa Monica Mountains. Additionally, New York City provided an essential backdrop for some of the film’s scenes, specifically the supermarket scenes highlighting Lilly's (Melissa McCarthy) sadness and struggle. For Lilly and Dr. Fine’s scenes, filming took place in New York City, as well as Jack’s hospital stay. Any huge film buff who is interested in embarking on a locations tour inspired by the comedy-drama can expect to explore diversely beautiful spaces. From lush forests, breathtaking hillsides, and crystal-clear streams in California, to New York City’s bustling streets and cityscapes; all these different backdrops reflect the movie’s events. A trip to the locations for The Starling also provides the opportunity to visit well-known landmarks such as Central Park or Times Square in New York City or take pictures of yourself at Jack and Lilly's house in Calabasas surrounded by nature.

Jack at the "New Horizons" hospital scene in The Starling

New York City, USA

Following the heartbreaking loss Jack and Lilly suffer, Jack is overcome by grief and he gets committed to the New Horizons mental health care facility. The room is filled with couples in similar situations listening intently to a therapy session on handling the emotions of losing a loved one. Lilly arrives each Tuesday with a snack for Jack, symbolizing her unwavering love for him despite their current struggles. Despite Lilly’s efforts, neither can bring themselves to communicate or even look at the other. Jack yearns for a reunion with their daughter in the afterlife, while Lilly becomes preoccupied with Jack's dilemma to the point of neglecting her feelings. The hospital scenes were among those shot in New York City. The unmistakable NYC skyline stands out in the background, starkly contrasting the bleakness that Jack and Lilly feel inside. However, this doesn't take away from the beautiful moments between them or the hope that lies ahead for them both.

If you want to travel to a city that never sleeps, then you're in luck; New York City is served by three nearby airports - JFK, LaGuardia, and Newark Liberty International Airport located across the river in New Jersey. Commuter trains and/or subways are available for those who arrive at either JFK or Newark Airport while visitors flying into LaGuardia have fewer public transportation options. Once there, Central Park is among the most popular tourist spots worth visiting, having featured as a backdrop in several TV shows and films.

The grocery store scene in The Starling

New York City, USA

The scene at the grocery store in The Starling vividly portrays everyday life in the United States. It depicts Lilly, working as a consultant in a typical American supermarket. The bustling environment makes it clear that this is where people come to buy their everyday needs while also providing insight into Lilly's struggles and challenges. Travis Delp (Timothy Olyphant), her boss, gives the scene extra charm and color. He adds an air of optimism with his charisma and contrasts Lilly’s world-weary attitude. As they face off against each other, it becomes clear that deeper issues are at stake than just a simple argument between employer and employee. The grocery store scene was shot in New York City. It captures the essence of traditional American supermarkets with its bright colors and classic architecture giving us an insight into what many American neighborhoods look like today. Adding to the realism of the setting are several ambient sounds, such as shoppers chattering away or workers stocking shelves, adding to the immersive experience for viewers. If you're up for some retail therapy, why not visit the Trader Joe’s location at 675 6th Ave? It’s 13 minutes away from Central Park, start by walking from Central Park to 57th Street and take a bus headed to Av Of the Americas/W 18 St or W 23 St/7 Av. From there, it’s a one-minute walk away.

“Best Friends Clinic” scene in The Starling

New York City, USA

The scene where Lilly visits Dr. Fine at his “Best Friends Clinic” is a poignant moment in the plot. Despite her discomfort, Lilly bravely opens up about her grief and struggles with loss. Dr. Fine doesn’t provide any solutions but listens to Lilly and empathizes with her situation. Although it's a brief scene, it gives viewers an insight into Lilly’s conflict and her internal struggle to move on from her sadness. The establishment looks like an ordinary vet clinic, with medical equipment and pet cages lining the walls. To create an authentic look, The Starling production designers included medical equipment such as wheelchairs and pet carriers as well as animal cages along the set's walls. It is yet another scene that was shot in New York. To take a walk down memory lane, why not visit the Smallpox Memorial Hospital? Remnants of the Gothic Revival-style building rest on Roosevelt Island in Manhattan, and it was once a 100-bed hospital that took care of those who were plagued by the illness in the 1800s. After closing its doors in 1875, the building houses a school before the institution shut down in the 1950s. As a filming location, it featured in the City of Bones and a similar hospital is seen in Grand Theft Auto IV.

Grandfather's farmhouse scene in The Starling

Santa Monica Mountains

The scene where Lilly encounters a starling in front of her farmhouse is also pivotal to the movie’s plot. The starling has made its nest in the large tree near her home, and it starts attacking Lilly. We witness some amusing and heart-wrenching moments as Lilly tries to get rid of the bird but fails every time. The scene takes place in the Santa Monica Mountains in California, USA, known for its breathtaking views of lush green hills, captivating canyons, verdant forests, picturesque meadows, and jagged coastlines. Visitors can enjoy a range of activities here, from sunbathing at Malibu's well-known beaches or embarking on one of the 500+ miles of trails for an invigorating hike. The park is chock packed with cultural sites that tell stories from former movie ranches to ancient Native American locations. To get to Santa Monica Mountains, you can take either Interstate 10 W or State Route 101 North from Los Angeles. Once you reach Calabasas, you will be close to the park entrance. Alternatively, if you are traveling by bus or train, there is a station just outside Calabasas where you can catch a bus straight into the park.

Conclusion

The Starling is an emotionally-driven movie that attempts to explore the grief of a woman who has lost her baby daughter. Although it is far from a perfect film, the performances help bring life to the complex themes. The script, written by Matt Harris, has moments of insight and poignancy that will resonate with viewers. Director Theodore Melfi's vision for the film created an engaging atmosphere for its characters and their struggles. Despite being set up as a dramatic story, there are moments of fun throughout the whole run-time, which provide some breathing room between heavy scenes. Overall, The Starling is an enjoyable watch but it may not appeal to everyone due to its slow pacing and lack of big dramatic moments.