MOVIE REVIEW: St. Vincent - 'It Is What It Is'

Director: Theodore Melfi

Starring: Bill Murray, Melissa McCarthy, Naomi Watts

Release Date: October 10, 2014

St. Vincent marks the directorial debut of Theodore Melfi. On the other hand, the film itself is not making much of a debut, as it has been told differently throughout the years. Despite this, St. Vincent is not like the rest. Melfi surrounded his film with an amazing cast which includes: Bill Murray, Naomi Watts, Terrence Howard and Melissa McCarthy. Not only was the cast amazing but Melfi was able to get the best out of Murray, who gives his best performance since Lost in Translation. St. Vincent might have a simple premise but this film is anything but simple and is a must watch.

Ted Melfi's comedy St. Vincent stars Bill Murray as a crusty old man who ends up caring for the son of his new neighbor (Melissa McCarthy). Although he's a cynic who gambles, drinks, and frequents prostitutes, the man turns out to be exactly the mentor the 12-year-old kid needs as the young one adjusts to his parents' divorce, and life at a new school.

The highlight of the film is the cast by far,  causing me to give Melfi two rounds of applause. The first, for being able to assemble such an amazing cast for his directorial debut. The second, for being able to bring so much out of each of their characters. Melissa McCarthy who plays Oliver's mother, Maggie, plays a serious role that we are accustom to. I mean, if my last film was Tammy, I would have a lot of things to get serious about. Regardless of her performance in her latest film, McCarthy definitely proved she has some solid dramatic acting skills. Naomi Watts on the other hand was the complete opposite of McCarthy. We are used to seeing Watts in serious roles being that she has been nominated for two Academy Awards and a Golden Globe. But Watts will have you laughing at her over the top Russian prostitute role, Daka, in this film. Who is not only Vincent's best friend but also his lady of the night.

The two big stars of this film are Jaeden Lieberher and Bill Murray. Jaeden Lieberher makes his debut onto the big screen as Oliver. It's not because he is eleven years old that makes Lieberher so impressive, but his comedic timing with Murray throughout the film that was just perfect. Lieberher could have easily been overwhelmed and found himself playing catch up but that was never the case. You fall in love with this character and every single act he makes just opens your heart more to the kid. However, this is Bill Murray's movie. Oliver's actions open your heart and hit your soft spot but Bill Murray's actions as Vincent will open your heart and hit your funny bone. Vincent has no filter when he talks to anyone, so half the things he says might come off as rude to the other characters but audiences will find it hilarious. It takes a special kind of actor to manage a chuckle out of the audience from just a simple act as walking through a line in a bank.

The film opens up with Vincent telling us a joke at a bar and the jokes just keep rolling from there. The film isn't meant to be a comedy and I don't believe Melfi originally sought the film to be as funny as it ended but when you have Murray as your lead, your game plan tends to change. But despite all the jokes and laughter, St. Vincent will cause your eyes to water here and there but never causing full water works due the good will tone carried throughout the film. St. Vincent will go down as one of Murray's most memorable works in a career that is already very decorated.