Movie Review: ‘St. Vincent’ A More Charming Version of ‘Gran Torino’

Cole Clay // Critic

ST. VINCENT has Bill Murray back in his comedic form. However, while the Theodore Melfi-directed comedy has loads of tickling moments, it relies all too heavily on sentimentality – a tactic that can be dangerous with a heart-on-sleeve type film.

Murray is Vincent, a misanthropic Vietnam vet who gambles, boozes and whores around his Brooklyn borough with the help of a local prostitute named Daka, played by a very pink and adorable Naomi Watts. This is until he becomes an unlikely caregiver for a single mother’s (Melissa McCarthy) son named Oliver (Jaeden Lieberher).

What comes next is obvious– Oliver and Vincent form an unlikely bond that will teach them a lesson they couldn’t have otherwise learned. ST. VINCENT commits to its convictions as a sappy story that strives to manipulate your emotions, but unlike other films from this cloth, Melfi does it with extra charm.

Vincent is a man who wears many hats, and we discover these hidden aspects of the curmudgeon’s life as his story is unpacked. To the film’s detriment, it borders on being a divisive piece of indie fare that hits all the necessary beats, and doesn’t let the characters truly just exist in the colorful setting. It also helps that McCarthy drops the “zero to b*tch” schtick in favor of a more compassionate role.

Once the broad comedy wears thin, ST. VINCENT compensates this by characters that are easy to love, and frankly, that warmness becomes contagious.

ST. VINCENT opens in theaters tomorrow.