St. Vincent - DVD [Standard]

Bill Murray was excellently cast in this modern situational comedy in which he played an outwardly angry man who had outstanding inner qualities. The young Oliver, an appealing and credible, good-natured young man who was the beneficiary of Murray's fundamental kind-heartedness. Melissa McCarthy, the boy's single parent, divorced from the boy's father, played an excellent role as the stressed-mom. Her ex-husband I might add did not, in his very brief appearances in the film, come across as unlikeable or disconnected from his son. Naomi Watts, a hooker, was Murray's unlikely companion after his wife was placed in a facility with dementia. She no longer recognized Murray but he would visit her regularly and tenderly, as a white-coated "physician." Watts played her role humorously and surprisingly well; I had not previously seen her in comic roles. In the end and after several set-backs Murray gains recognition from the community as "Saint" Vincent, based on a portrayal of him written and presented by Oliver at an event at his Catholic Elementary school. The event was one in which students presented their nominees for "sainthood" among ordinary people.

Bill Murray plays an embittered and gruff fellow who has reason for his sorrow. A new neighbor played by Melissa McCarthy moves in. She is a single mom in the midst of a divorce who has chosen to move far from her husband and live on her own with her 12 year old son Oliver (fabulous young actor, Jaeden Lieberher). Oliver needs someone to hang out with while his mother works late and the neighbor Vincent agrees to be paid to watch Oliver. Their relationship develops quickly - each is a match for the other and each saves the other emotionally. I truly enjoyed the film. Fine acting and relevant human messages.

Acting was fabulous, BMurray never disappoints, story was intended as a comedy and, although it had several comedic sections, was really a dramatic story of a single Mom's struggles to create a normal life for herself and her son. The story all too often hit on subjects and struggles that are still all too familiar to me after having been a single Mom myself. Highly recommended.

The cast may be a bunch of hard hitting comedic actors, but they show a soul and capability for acting beyond the laughs in this movie. There are some standard aspects and themes to the movie, but they are presented in a manner that can still touch the heart. The story is one of strife and change, showcasing the human resistance to change. There are some laughs included, but seem to be mere footnotes to the story that is progressing.

This had some unexpected parts to the movie that made it nice. I have seen probably every movie Bill has been in and the bonus area is worth watching. You can never know where movies he is in are going to go. I did like seeing Melissa in a different role rather than the ones that seem to follow her. Don't get me wrong I liked all her other films I just knew she was able to do more than the "Tammy" type roles.