St Vincent is a great opportunity for Bill Murray to do what Bill Murray does best. But, what’s the issue with that? This is the first feature film from writer/ director Theodore Melfi, and while it is not necessarily the film of the season, Melfi’s work is sound and he lets his cast shine.
St Vincent opens with the title character of Vincent, played by Bill Murray, telling a bad joke in a bar. He is wearing a worn out t-shirt with the words ‘catch of the day’ accompanying a picture of a mermaid. Within minutes, Vincent is shagging a pregnant Russian prostitute named Daka (Naomi Watts), photo frames bouncing off the wall onto his head as he smokes. It doesn’t take long for us to discover Vincent is a degenerate gambler and drunk, and that he is a bit of a jerk.
Newly single mum Maggie, Melissa McCarthy, and her son Oliver, Jaeden Lieberher, move in next door to Vincent. Maggie is beholden to Vincent before she has even met him when her removal guys crash into Vincent’s tree, breaking his fence and damaging his car. Having left her cheating, lying ex-husband in a bit of a rush, Maggie is ill-prepared for her new solo parenting role. Working long hours at a hospital, she has seemingly forgotten that Oliver will need after school care. Cash strapped Vincent steps in as babysitter, a situation which is not thrilling to anyone. 
Vincent is not the most ideal of babysitters, taking Oliver to the racetrack, to bars, introducing him to Daka, and teaching how to break someone’s nose. But Vincent and Oliver both start to warm to each other. Vincent is less than ideal as a substitute for Oliver’s absent father, but Oliver slowly starts to see the better qualities in Vincent, and encourages them to the fore.
This film is perfectly predictable and delightfully twee. It would be fair to say that this is a Bill Murray vehicle, but since when has that been a problem? Murray is great in the role, and he has an excellent chemistry with his fellow cast. Is it possible that Murray lifts the quality of those around him? It seems so as McCarthy is improved as an actress here and Lieberher is a revelation. The kid is a good actor, and he plays his role very well.
With a cast including Murray, McCarthy and Chris O’Dowd, the expectation was that this would be a very funny film. There are lots of funny moments, this reviewer laughed out loud more than once, but poignancy seems to dominate. I will admit to a stray tear. The take-away from the film could be that family is where you find them, not necessarily where you expect.
St Vincent is in Australian cinemas from 26 December through Roadshow Films.
