St. Vincent: Movie Review

While watching “St. Vincent” I couldn’t help but enjoy what felt like the return of the classic comedic Bill Murray that I grew up with. It feels like it’s been decades since the former Ghostbuster was front and center in a more traditional comedy. Granted, “St. Vincent” is a much edgier film than Murray’s earlier comedies. Don’t get me wrong, I am a fan of his more recent dramatic works and his supporting roles in some more art-house type comedies but it is the Bill Murray from the 1970s-80s that I loved the most. I am pleased to tell you that my favorite Murray is back with a comedic-vengeance in “St. Vincent”.

Vincent (Murray) spends his days betting on horses and his nights drinking at the bar. When he is not at the track or at the bar, he is drinking at home. If Vincent’s life didn’t seem bad enough, he also has a bookie (Terrance Howard) breathing down his neck for money he owes. To top things off, Vincent’s ailing wife resides in a very expensive nursing home in which he can’t afford to keep her. The only semi-good thing in Vincent’s life is the pregnant Russian stripper named Daka (Naomi Watts) that he sees on a regular basis.

Things change when Maggie (Melissa McCarthy) and her adopted son Oliver (Jaeden Lieberher) move in next door to Vincent. The first encounter between the new neighbors doesn’t go smoothly but when Vincent agrees to look after Oliver for monetary reasons while Maggie works late, the boy and the old man form an unexpected bond (only unexpected if you have actually never seen a movie before). Vincent brings Oliver along on trips to the race track, bar, strip club and the nursing home to visit his wife. Obviously, he has no clue how to take care of a child, but Maggie is desperate and has no one else to turn to.

“St. Vincent” is at its’ best when focused on the blossoming friendship between Oliver and Vincent. After seeing the 12 year old boy beaten up by a group of classmates, Vincent takes it upon himself to teach Oliver to defend himself. Oliver also is able to see the good qualities in his older neighbor that most people are not able to.

Murray is absolutely fantastic here and fans of the actor will surely enjoy his performance here. First time writer/director Ted Melfi has done an outstanding job here and looking forward to see what he brings us next. Make sure to check out “St. Vincent” this weekend.

By: Marc Ferman