If saintliness were based on convincing acting, then Billy Murray might become anointed.
Though his lone Academy Award nomination came in 2004 for Lost In Translation, Murray could very well have another chance at Oscar with his leading performance in St. Vincent. In this performance and many, many others, he plays similar roles: A jaded older man with little or no passion for life who gets a second wind at it. Not everyone has that luxury.
With rookie feature film director and screenwriter Ted Melfi at the helm, St. Vincent tells the story of crabby Brooklynite Vincent McKenna and the special bond formed with his new kid neighbor. McKenna struggles to pay his wife's nursing home dues and support his alcoholic lifestyle, thereby landing a babysitting gig for his kid neighbor Oliver (introducing Jaeden Lieberher). Desperate and recently divorced, Oliver's mother Maggie (Melissa McCarthy, Bridesmaids) accepts McKenna's $11 hourly wage amid haggling. Then the fun really begins.
Polar opposites, Oliver and McKenna learn from each other. The sweet-looking and innocent boy starts standing up for himself at school and making friends; Vincent becomes more caring toward his wife, acquaintances and even his "Lady of the Night" (Naomi Watts, The Ring). Seemingly mirroring the animated film Up, the old widower leads a more adventurous life with his young-blooded sidekick. But in reality, the screenplay is modeled on Melfi's relationship with his niece whom he adopted after his brother passed away seven years ago. That emotional proximity surfaces in Melfi's screenplay, particularly when Oliver shares Vincent's life achievements with classmates.
Peeling back another layer, perhaps this film's positive critical reception may symbolize Murray's contributions to film as an actor, too. He's played the surly old dude many a time, perhaps more than any other actor of his generation. Such performances are seen in Moonrise Kingdom, The Royal Tennenbaums, Rushmore and Scrooged and more. As is the case with St. Vincent, there are people who care about what you do in life. And life ain't over until it's over. - LIZ KOBAK