FilmSnobReviews

Title: St. Vincent
MPAA Rating: PG-13
Director: Theodore Melfi
Starring: Bill Murray, Melissa McCarthy, Naomi Watts
Runtime: 1 hr 42 mins

What It Is: Maggie (McCarthy) and her son Oliver (Jaeden Lieberher) have just moved in next door to a crotchety old man named Vincent, a man content in his misery. Oliver is a bit awkward and there may be some things he can learn from this curmudgeon of a man. Those things include how to fight, the importance of working and grossly important things like how to bet and gamble. But perhaps there’s more then meets the eye with Vincent. And maybe just maybe Oliver sees something in him no one else does.

What We Think: This is a fantastic film. I went in with moderate expectations and given the cast that’s to be expected. Bill Murray is pitch  perfect as Vincent. Funny, and awful when the moment requires it, yet talented enough to add weight to that moments that are a punch to the gut. Melissa McCarthy does what I’ve been waiting for her to do…showed some range. She toned it down and it was super effective, I really enjoyed her performance here. She was totally understated and really supported the action well. Naomi Watts however was really overdone with the Russian accent. It was just too much. The young man Jaeden Lieberher  was great. Vulnerable, loveable, and yet he never lost that innocence of youth.

Our Grade: B+, It really wants to be an Oscar film but with an unsure pace I can’t see it in that light. It is a strong film despite this and its other small annoyances. The real story here is Bill freaking Murray. He’s the man simply put. He brings this film to a different level and I’d hate to see what this thing would look like without him. Special props to The always funny Chris O’ Dowd who plays Olivers catholic school teacher.