St. Vincent

Bill Murray and Melissa McCarthy in the same movie? This I've gotta see!

Written and directed by Theodore Melfi, this PG-13 comedy looks at the effects of a divorce on a young boy when his mom moves next door to a curmudgeonly drunk.

Sounds predictable, doesn't it? Well, it IS. But here is the surprise: Along the way we are treated to outstanding performances by all of the primary actors, including the little boy, AND we are entertained.

We watch:

• Bill Murray ("The Monuments Men") as our eponymous hero, who finds having a child next door is almost diverting, because he can have him help deliver laundry and take him to the race track.
• Melissa McCarthy ("Identity Thief") Maggie begins to doubt her neighbor, particularly when her son wins a schoolyard fight.
• Naomi Watts ("The Impossible") Daka never had a daytime job but pole dancing doesn't provide maternity leave.
• Jaeden Lieberher ("Playing it Cool") Oliver is caught by the class bully and has to learn how to stick up for himself. Plus he figures out what a trifecta pays and Mom is upset to learn he has been in a bar.
• Chris O'Dowd ("Cuban Fury") Brother Geraghty has Oliver in his classroom. This priest shows great flexibility when it comes to religions and he assigns his students interesting projects.
• Terrence Howard ("Sabotage") Zucko is Vincent's bookie and Vincent owes him a LOT of money.

There are many noteworthy scenes but it was nice to realize that we are allowed to figure out much of the plot on our own. Expect mild profanity, a schoolyard brawl, a drunken Vincent injuring himself and a poignant history. Our screening audience applauded.

BTW: Be sure to stay during the final credits because Murray entertains us with a garden hose and a Bob Dylan recording.

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Here is the trailer:
http://www.imdb.com/video/imdb/vi1643686937
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