The Starling Girl (2023)

Eliza Scanlen: Jem Starling

Photos 

Quotes 

• [Jem is talking with her dad about his days as a singer] 

  Jem Starling : Why'd you leave?

  Paul Starling : After I got saved, I didn't want to be selfish no more. Everything was always about me, my songs, my struggles.

  Jem Starling : Do you miss it?

  Paul Starling : When God asks you to give something up, it's just so you got more room for Him.

• Jem Starling : To my fellow congregants, I-I come before you, humbled and ashamed. I admit that I am a sinner. I repent all of the wrong deeds that I have carried out in my body, and the lustful and immoral thoughts in my mind. I want to recommit to pure-purity. And I humbly ask for your forgiveness. As unworthy as I am, I ask the Lord to forgive me, and I ask you to help me walk with him again. Thank you.

• Pastor Taylor : Before Owen, did you have any impure thoughts?

  [pause] 

  Pastor Taylor : Did you feel overtaken by them?

  Jem Starling : I don't know.

  Pastor Taylor : When did this thing with Owen begin? And... whose idea was it? Who started it?

  Jem Starling : Where is Owen?

  Pastor Taylor : I don't know. Why would you ask?

  Jem Starling : He and I talked about it. And if we could just explain...

  Heidi Starling : Explain what?

  Jem Starling : That we-we're meant to be together...

  Heidi Starling : Stop it.

  Pastor Taylor : Wow, enough, alright.

  [to Jem] 

  Pastor Taylor : You've let Satan into your heart.

  Jem Starling : I haven't.

  Pastor Taylor : No, you have. Why do you think you're hurting the people that love you? Listen. If you think that God wanted you and Owen to be together, how are you so certain that wasn't Satan whispering in your ear?

  Jem Starling : If you just get Owen here...

  Pastor Taylor : Owen doesn't wanna talk to you. His life is ruined. He's gotta give up his position. Misty wants to leave him.

  Heidi Starling : Your son had a big part in that.

  Pastor Taylor : Certainly, but, uh... but he says that Jem brought him to sin. He says that she inhibited his ability to control himself. Jem, is any of that true? I mean, I ain't saying that he ain't at fault. That's clear. He is. But we're here and we're talking to you about this. And it is clear to me that Satan has got his hold on you.

  [Jem starts to cry] 

  Pastor Taylor : This-this is a spiritual attack. You've tumbled down a very dark hole, Jem.

• Jem Starling : Do you think I'm wicked?

  Owen Taylor : No. You're the furthest thing from it. I'm sorry I got lost in it.

  Jem Starling : I did, too. Do you feel guilty?

  Owen Taylor : Uh... I mean, yeah. I don't know. A lot before. Less now.

  Jem Starling : Why?

  Owen Taylor : I don't know. I've been praying on it a lot, and I just-maybe I'm crazy, but it just-it don't feel like a sin. Swear as the sky covers me, it don't.

  Jem Starling : But you're-you're married.

  Owen Taylor : Yeah, and we can't stand each other. We can't. I mean, she's all, like, gossip and babies, and I'm-we ain't never felt connected, ever. We misread the signs. I know it. But with you, I just-you know, I see so much for you. And when I'm with you, I want so much for me, too. I ain't never felt that with anybody. How could God not want that?

• [first lines] 

  Jem Starling : [whispering]  Dear Lord... thank You for the opportunity to come before You in Your holy presence here today. I hope to glorify You in all I do. Let it not be me they see. Let it be You. I want to reflect Your Holiness. Come into this space and fill it with Your spirit. We want to be moved by You, be glorified and honored. Guide us in Your righteousness. Pour out Your blessings on us. In Your name, Amen.

• Jem Starling : I was praying about my dad. I think he's drinking again.

  Owen Taylor : Hmm, what makes you think that?

  Jem Starling : [chuckles]  'Cause I saw him.

  [Owen chuckles]