St. Vincent (2/17/2015)

Rated PG-13 for mature thematic material including sexual content, alcohol and tobacco use, and for language.

Starring Bill Murray, Melissa McCarthy, Jaeden Lieberher, Naomi Watts and Terrence Howard

Directed by Theodore Melfi

St. Vincent may not be the easiest film to watch, but it is worth every uncomfortable minute.

Maggie (McCarthy), a single mother, moves into a new home in Brooklyn with her 12-year old son, Oliver (Lieberher). Forced to work long hours, she has no choice but to leave Oliver in the care of their new neighbor, Vincent (Murray), a retired curmudgeon with a penchant for alcohol and gambling. An odd friendship soon blossoms between the improbable pair. Together with a pregnant stripper named Daka (Watts), Vincent brings Oliver along on all the stops that make up his daily routine — the race track, a strip club, and the local dive bar. Vincent helps Oliver grow to become a man, while Oliver begins to see in Vincent something that no one else is able to: a misunderstood man with a good heart.

Let me start by saying I’m a pretty big Bill Murray fan. From Stripes and Ghostbusters to Groundhog Day, he is (in my opinion) a comedic genius. So when I say he is ridiculously good as Vincent, the crude, vulgar, hedonistic war veteran who lives next door, I hope you will believe me.

Murray co-stars with Melissa McCarthy, a movie star whose comic roles usually steal the show. Like Murray, she shifts gears in St. Vincent, playing a suddenly single mom struggling to pay the rent and raise her 12-year-old son. She’s mostly the straight woman to Murray’s grumpy old man. Naomi Watts also co-stars as Daka, the Russian “lady of the night” who adds a whole new dimension to the film.

Then there is Jaeden Lieberher. He is natural on screen and perfect as the kid who is picked on, bullied and desperate for a friend. Lieberher and Murray have perfect chemistry and with a doubt is the film’s warm glow.

Based on the trailer I wasn’t really surprised by the story or the inevitable emotional ending. What I was not expecting was just how emotional that emotional ending was. Lieberher and Murray totally nail it and it feels very realistic and authentic.

But what I loved most about St. Vincent is the powerful and touching message of looking past someone’s faults…no matter how big or how many there are. Vincent is clearly flawed. Most people don’t like him and for good reasons. But when a young boy is willing to look past all the mess, he discovers a real saint.

I love when a film evokes that kind of emotional response…St. Vincent was “Theater Worthy.”

SHOULD KIDS SEE IT?
No. This PG-13 film has plenty of adult themes and situations. There is one F-word and several S-words. There is also a scene where a couple is having sex although no nudity is shown.

CONVERSATION STARTER:

1. What was your first impression of Vincent?


2. What are some of his many faults?


3. How did you feel during Oliver’s speech?

Read 1 Peter 4:8

Most important of all, you must sincerely love each other, because love wipes away many sins.


4. How does Oliver love Vincent?


5. How can you love others in your life?