The Starling

Jack and Lily Maynard face the devastating grief following the sudden death of their baby daughter due to Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). This tragedy leaves both of them struggling with their emotional turmoil, leading Jack into a residential mental hospital for treatment.

While Jack is in the mental hospital, Lily attempts to keep her life on track despite her overwhelming sorrow. She continues to work at a grocery store and maintains their home, all while grappling with her own grief in solitude.

Lily's challenges intensify when a starling takes up residence in a tree in her backyard. The bird begins to harass her, which symbolizes her own unresolved grief, and she becomes fixated on stopping its aggressive behavior.

Every week, Lily makes a two-hour journey to visit Jack in the hospital. During these visits, she wrestles with doubts about his willingness to come home and what their future together might look like.

Amid her struggles, a counselor at the hospital advises Lily to seek mental health support for herself. This moment is a turning point for Lily, pushing her to prioritize her own healing alongside Jack's journey.

Lily finds herself consulting with Larry Fine, a quirky and unconventional psychiatrist who has transitioned into a veterinarian. Their first meeting marks the beginning of a unique bond that develops as they navigate their personal struggles together.

As Lily continues therapy with Larry, she learns to confront her grief while also dealing with the starling's presence. Their sessions lead her to develop an unusual attachment to the bird, reflecting her own vulnerabilities.

One fateful day, Lily accidentally strikes the starling with a stone, leaving her heartbroken and terrified that she has permanently harmed it. In desperation, she turns to Larry for guidance on how to help the injured bird.

Under Larry's guidance, Lily learns how to care for the starling and nurture it back to health. This experience becomes a significant part of her healing process, allowing her to confront her grief more openly.

Once the starling recovers, Lily makes the emotional decision to let it fly free. This moment symbolizes her growing acceptance of grief and her journey toward healing, as she learns to coexist with her pain.

Jack finally returns home from the mental hospital, and he and Lily begin to reconcile their relationship. Together, they face the world and work through their shared grief, bolstered by their supportive bond.

The film concludes with a heartwarming scene of Jack and Lily gardening together in their yard. Their peaceful activity signifies not only their reconciliation but also the resilience of their love and hope for the future.

Even after the reconciliation, the starling remains a part of their lives, often seen in their yard. This continuing presence of the bird serves as a reminder of their shared journey through grief and healing.