First, the story line of Starling Girl lacks any real surprise. What you see is what you get. And because of this, throughout this film you are merely waiting for the other shoe to drop. But maybe because we're all cynically desensitized with the depiction of power imbalances that the premise alone doesn't surprise you. Secondly, if a filmmaker is really trying to say something unique about America's sacred traditions like what happens in a church, if it's not to grab a headline and be scandalous about teen sex, organized religion and the dastardly deeds of the patriarchy of men, please...please..please tell it creatively, in a unique way, with a unique voice. With a unique way all your own.
Here's a film set in a remote Kentucky community. This community's whole life revolves around their church. And if one does anything unbecoming in this community, everyone will know about it and will judge you and ostracize you.
Starling's particular focus is on a 17 year girl well into puberty who's discovering her "sexuality." She wants to lead a dance at the church and show off her talent. The people at the church don't want this. But of course, there's a "young, gorgeous, youth pastor, who's done missionary work in Puerto Rico," and has just come home. They meet and the 17 year old heroine's hormones start exploding. The "hunky, soulful" youth pastor's hormones explode as well. Of course, to add to the scandal, the youth pastor also has a wife. Scandal! Sex! Power! Control!
The story of Starling Girl touches on this communities' belief's and how it is not supposedly in step with those around them this movie depicts this community as rigid and strict. If you want to do something out of the ordinary, they won't allow it.
And here's the bigger metaphor and irony with Starling Girl...the bigger picture: The sentiments of this film is not an outlier but rather another indictment on Sundance on who they've become, a community entity that only allows the voices within thier own narrow scope of what they see as worthy storytelling. Remember when Sundance was edgy and home grown? Now it is corporate and has been taken over by brands. It's what Soul Asylum called: Frustrated Incorporated. Starling Girl feels branded and, like its progenitor, Sundance, it is inspired by brand marketers trying to reach a demographic, and is soulless in its output. Like the Starling Girl director, they seek "new voices" but much of these voices seem to have very little NEW to say and very little talent.
Movies like this used to feel like little touch stones. Now they are given that Sundance polish of soulless ennui. Dear Sundance, when you look for "fresh voices" look for voices with something actual to say.
Here's a film set in a remote Kentucky community. This community's whole life revolves around their church. And if one does anything unbecoming in this community, everyone will know about it and will judge you and ostracize you.
Starling's particular focus is on a 17 year girl well into puberty who's discovering her "sexuality." She wants to lead a dance at the church and show off her talent. The people at the church don't want this. But of course, there's a "young, gorgeous, youth pastor, who's done missionary work in Puerto Rico," and has just come home. They meet and the 17 year old heroine's hormones start exploding. The "hunky, soulful" youth pastor's hormones explode as well. Of course, to add to the scandal, the youth pastor also has a wife. Scandal! Sex! Power! Control!
The story of Starling Girl touches on this communities' belief's and how it is not supposedly in step with those around them this movie depicts this community as rigid and strict. If you want to do something out of the ordinary, they won't allow it.
And here's the bigger metaphor and irony with Starling Girl...the bigger picture: The sentiments of this film is not an outlier but rather another indictment on Sundance on who they've become, a community entity that only allows the voices within thier own narrow scope of what they see as worthy storytelling. Remember when Sundance was edgy and home grown? Now it is corporate and has been taken over by brands. It's what Soul Asylum called: Frustrated Incorporated. Starling Girl feels branded and, like its progenitor, Sundance, it is inspired by brand marketers trying to reach a demographic, and is soulless in its output. Like the Starling Girl director, they seek "new voices" but much of these voices seem to have very little NEW to say and very little talent.
Movies like this used to feel like little touch stones. Now they are given that Sundance polish of soulless ennui. Dear Sundance, when you look for "fresh voices" look for voices with something actual to say.