Film No. 2 (2015) January 4th. 2.50 PM LUNA SX Fremantle.
The Quote: "I'm showing him how it works, he works, he gets paid, he drinks"
St. Vincent
There has been some risks taken by little known director Theodore Melfi in bringing St. Vincent together. Finding the right child actor (Jaeden Lieberher), making Naomi Watts both dowdy and sound Russian all at once, reigning in the usual antics of Melissa McCarthy and giving a new dimension to another deadpan character in Vincent played by Bill Murray were just a few of the challenges. On all four points Melfi succeeds, I found St. Vincent pushing the same buttons The Karate Kid and Hoosiers pushed and I was in the mood to be manipulated.
Take a damaged Vietnam War Veteran in Vincent, mix him with a child so lovable you have to call him Oliver (Lieberher) blend these with a stressed out mother with a big heart(McCarthy) then serve with a hard nosed pregnant prostitute (Watts) so hardened to life's knocks there has to be a catch. With garnishings of student bullying, custody battles, unpaid debts and ill health the final product is a crowd pleaser. But like a tasty takeaway meal it will soon be forgotten.
Bill Murray (Vincent) plays a reluctant babysitter to Oliver, his new neighbour. Lessons learnt from one another as their bond sets is the key to the how believable the film's conclusion is. Chris O'Dowd playing Oliver's Catholic teacher has some of the film's best lines while at the same time providing the springboard for a heart warming ending; Bill Murray has the look of a man needing a hug and he gets one.
The US film market has lapped up St Vincent. The film was made on a shoe sting budget ($13M)suggesting Murray, Watts and McCarthy liked the script and worked at discount rates or for a cut of the pie. The film has taken $50M since its LA release in October so someone is pleased. It's even grabbed a 2 Golden Globe nominations of which Murray is one. For me Watts and O'Dowd have the best lines but Leiberher has the charisma. If you are at a loose end on a cold wet Sunday afternoon then St Vincent may top your weekend off nicely. 8GUMS
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