Bill Murray never quite gets his due from audiences unless he’s in a comedy. That hasn’t stopped Murray from being great in a number of dramatic films, Lost in Translation and Groundhog Day being at the top of the list. St. Vincent isn’t going to end up on Bill Murray’s greatest hits, but the “comedian” elevates a standard screenplay with sound acting chops. Plus he does a little dance number.
Maggie (Melissa McCarthy) and her son Oliver (Jaeden Lieberher) are forced to uproot and move to Brooklyn. Unfortunately, they move next door to curmudgeonly Vincent (Bill Murray), who is having his share of life problems as well. Because of her long work hours, Maggie reluctantly pays Vincent to watch Oliver after school. The two form an unlikely friendship, will Murray’s life skills teaching Oliver how to grow up and fend for himself.
Theodore Melfi wrote this script and directed the movie himself. The story means well, but doesn’t really establish itself as anything other than an “old coot and innocent kid bond” story. Crotchetiness and naivete are established early. Does the kid need help standing up for himself and does the old man have some tips? Does the old man’s past with a foreign woman (Naomi Watts) cause a severe plot shift? Is an oft mentioned absentee character going to show up in the third act? Does the old man have a secret soft side? Is there a big reconciliation after a split of the friendship? If you’ve EVER seen a movie, you’ll know what the answers to these questions are.
Despite the overt manipulation, Bill Murray is here to pick up the slack. Murray’s jovial side is in evidence even during the early scenes, when horrible choices are consistently thrust upon him. The scenes with him and your Jaeden are cute and fun. Murray’s presence elevates Melissa McCarthy’s performance, especially when she’s backed into a corner by Vincent. Murray’s chops are tested in the third act, where a contrived event forces him really sell a believable state for his character. When the climactic event happens, I was only rooting for the obvious because of how well Bill Murray sold the old man to me.
It makes me a little sad to think Peter Venkman himself is now forced to take old man roles. However, Bill Murray’s years of development give me hope that some long overdue awards could be in his future. St. Vincent could be the start of that; Academy Voters, look past the fact that this movie is cloying and give Murray a nod. You owe him for Lost in Translation.