Movie: St. Vincent

St. Vincent:  Bill Murray’s latest quality movie.  This film offers a simple story line:  down on his luck elderly guy gets a new neighbor with a 12 year old son.  The mother, played by Melissa McCarthy, is forced to leave Oliver,  played by Jaeden Lieberher, with Vincent (Bill Murray) due to work commitment.   Vincent and Oliver become pals as Vincent takes the boy to places like the race track and a bar.  Murray also has a pregnant “Woman of the Night” friend named Daka played by Naomi Watts.  The character is not believable as written, however, Watts’ performance is enjoyable.  The film is a perfect set up for Murray who is a master of these types of roles.  But for the movie to work, you have to like Oliver and you do.  The 102 minute movie is written and directed by Theodore Melfi.  There is nothing new here but old tales can be fun when so well acted.  Why the title?  Oliver attends a Catholic school even though his father is Jewish.  The teacher/priest gives the students an assignment to present someone they know as a present day saint.   After seeing Vincent be, among other things, a mean drunk, we learn his history which is part of the movie’s fun.  No Oscar nominations for this film but it is quite entertaining.