A young boy whose parents have just divorced finds an unlikely friend and mentor in the misanthropic, bawdy, hedonistic war veteran who lives next door.A young boy whose parents have just divorced finds an unlikely friend and mentor in the misanthropic, bawdy, hedonistic war veteran who lives next door.A young boy whose parents have just divorced finds an unlikely friend and mentor in the misanthropic, bawdy, hedonistic war veteran who lives next door.
- Awards
- 7 wins & 23 nominations
- Oliver
- (as Jaeden Lieberher)
- Director
- Writer
- All cast & crew
- Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaNaomi Watts learned her Russian accent for her role as Daka by watching YouTube videos and by going to a Russian spa in order to observe mannerisms and dialect.
- GoofsVincent's car alternates between a 1983 model Chrysler LeBaron Town & Country convertible and a 1984 model. The front ends are the same, but the taillights are different between the two model years.
- Quotes
Brother Geraghty: [Oliver's new Catholic school classmates welcome him, albeit unenthusiastically] Maybe as a 'thank you', you could lead us all in morning prayer.
Oliver: [as the class members bow their heads, he whispers apologetically to the teacher] I think... I think I'm Jewish.
Brother Geraghty: [to Oliver] OK, good to know.
Brother Geraghty: [addressing the whole class] Oliver thinks he's Jewish.
random members of the class: So am I... I'm Buddhist... There is no God...
[now everyone speaks at once, sharing their religious preferences]
Brother Geraghty: Yes, you get the idea. We celebrate all the religions of the world in this room, Oliver. I'm a Catholic, which is the best of all the religions, really, because we have the most rules. And the best clothes. But among us, there is also a Buddhist, agnostic, we have a Baptist, and we have a "I don't know", which seems to be the fastest growing religion in the world. And now, we have "I think I'm Jewish", which is a new one for the class, Oliver, so thanks for that.
- Crazy creditsThe credits play over a scene with Vincent trying to have a cigarette in his backyard and then later watering the lawn.
- ConnectionsFeatured in 72nd Golden Globe Awards (2015)
The old curmudgeon has been a screen staple from Lionel Barrymore to Walter Matthau to Jack Nicholson. Yet no one has played this type of character so well these many years as Bill Murray. Even as a young man, the actor brought with him that droll view of life, a wicked acerbic wit, and a unique ironic humor to his many film roles from Ghostbusters to Scrooge to Lost in Translation. So his portrayal in St. Vincent may not be much of a stretch for the actor, but it is wildly captivating performance that needs to been seen.
Yes, the story is far from original. Crotchety old man finds love and redemption by the love of a young kid who he befriends begrudgingly. Vincent is a drunk and a gambler. Yet, his new neighbor, Maggie (a subtle and convincing Melissa McCarthy), hires him to babysit her son, Oliver (Jaeden Lieberher), while she is at work making ends meet. Now right there, one questions the entire sit-com set-up and implausible story of the film, but one goes along with the preposterous notion for sheer entertainment purposes.
Placing Mr. Murray in that pivotal role is the force that binds this story together. He is both charming and repulsive in this part and the actor is an absolute comic delight. Vincent's the man-child, a boy who never grew up, a loner who survives from day to day and Murray nails his character. His droll asides when taking his young charge to a bar or racetrack, or cavorting with strippers and other unsavory persons are key to the film's enjoyment, as is his wonderful chemistry with Master Lieberger, who gives a natural and lovely performance as a child who seems to have more common sense than any of the adults in this film.
St. Vincent is an auspicious film debut by director/ writer Theodore Melfi. While his initial premise is spotty, the filmmaker more than acquits himself with his funny script and fine casting. Rounding out this wonderful trio of actors are Chris O'Dowd, Terrence Howard, and especially Naomi Watt as a Russian call girl with a heart of platinum. The entire ensemble delivers their lines with brutal accuracy and delicious comic timing, even if the film leads to a rather mawkish and sappy ending that some may find to be poignant. One just can't help relishing in the overall fun.
Technically, Melfi needs to learn more restraint as a director. He tends to overuse pop songs to reinforce his message and overdoes many scenes with melodramatic spurts. As a writer, he creates effective dialog mixed with one-liners that, at least, stay true to his well-written characters. But his plot structure is too conventional and simple in every sense of the word. He may easily achieved his goal in making a crowd-pleasing film, even if it lays on the pathos a bit thickly. And from the reaction of the moviegoers in my audience, the film scored highly amid the audible aahs and sniffles to my left and right. It doesn't merely tug at the heartstrings, it plays two part harmony too.
In truth, St. Vincent owes so much of its success to a small blessing known as Mr. Murray. It is his compelling presence that is the main attraction on display, and on that, everybody can rejoice! GRADE: B
- jadepietro
- Oct 24, 2014
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Details
- Release date
- Country of origin
- Official site
- Languages
- Also known as
- St. Vincent De Van Nuys
- Filming locations
- Bay Ridge, Brooklyn, New York City, New York, USA(St. Patricks)
- Production companies
- See more company credits at IMDbPro
Box office
- Budget
- $13,000,000 (estimated)
- Gross US & Canada
- $44,137,712
- Opening weekend US & Canada
- $109,878
- Oct 12, 2014
- Gross worldwide
- $54,837,234
- Runtime1 hour 42 minutes
- Color
- Sound mix
- Aspect ratio
- 1.85 : 1
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