Review of St. Vincent (2014) by Angela D — 15 Dec 2014

YOU'RE A MEAN ONE, MR. MURRAY - My Review of ST. VINCENT (3 Stars).

Writer-Director Theodore Melfi chased famously reclusive actor Bill Murray down the only way he could, via the star's 800 number. Known for not having an agent, Murray is considered one of the hardest "Yeses" in the business. The story of how he came to make ST. VINCENT could be its own movie, and probably a more interesting one than the genial, kindhearted, but too-often sitcom-bound film we have here.

Bill Murray plays Vincent, a former Vietnam War vet who has become the "Gett off my lawn" archetype we've all grown to love and hate. The only person he lets into his life is a pregnant Russian prostitute named Daka (a hilarious Naomi Watts) until that fateful day when new neighbors move in next door. Enter Maggie and Oliver (a nicely subdued Melissa McCarthy and a terrifically self-possessed Jaeden Lieberher). A chance occurrence leads to Vincent becoming Oliver's babysitter and...well...oh God....I think you know where this is going, and you are right.

It's by no means a bad movie, but the story of a curmudgeon whose heart, like the Grinch, grows three sizes, isn't anything new. Vincent is an alcoholic, a gambler, and a total slob, but he clearly has hidden reserves of kindness. It should come as no mystery to anyone who has ever seen a film that he becomes what seems to be a second cousin to Mother Teresa somewhere along the way. I guess the devil is in the details, and this film has charm to spare. Murray throws himself into the role and is backed up by a cast who clearly relished this opportunity.

I only wish the writing had cut deeper. Pitched oftentimes at the level of a 3 camera television half hour, Melfi's script often goes for easy punchlines at moments where you wish it would go for the truth. The jokes are pretty funny, however, so it's not exactly torture to sit through, but they seem to be masking a more real film underneath. When things eventually DO get real, they tend to go mushy. The third act has so much goodwill going for it, you hope against hope that Vincent will barrel through those moments and give it some edge. It doesn't happen.

Still, Murray commits to the role, masterfully walking that fine line between hero and villain, and Watts can steal the smallest of moments, such as when she vacuums awkwardly in her high heels or pole dances with her 3rd trimester belly on full display. McCarthy nails the pathos of her character, particularly in a scene where she breaks down in front of her son's teachers. Lieberher has a direct gaze and no-nonsense line deliveries. It's never cutesy, which is a huge strength. I felt there was a connective scene missing between him and the school bully, as one moment they're fighting and the next they seemed to be BFFs.

Regardless, ST. VINCENT will warm the smallest of hearts. Just don't expect to be wowed when being wooed is as good as it gets.