St. Vincent (2014)

A recently divorced mother (Melissa McCarthy) and her young son (Jaeden Lieberher) move next door to an old misanthropic, alcoholic curmudgeon (Bill Murray). But soon the curmudgeon and the boy bond albeit reluctantly on the grouchy old man's part. One knows that any film focusing on an old curmudgeon and a kid bonding is eventually going the tearjerking route and ST. VINCENT is no exception. I tried to resist, I really did, but finally just caved in and went with it. The film seems tailor made for Murray's particular talents though while watching I couldn't shake the feeling it was a film written with Jack Nicholson in mind but turned down. It's easily Murray's best performance since LOST IN TRANSLATION and fortunately the young lad Lieberher is a decent actor who gives a real performance rather than one of those annoying "child actor" performances. McCarthy gets a chance to show she can do more than just be abrasive and vulgar and she's quite touching here. Naomi Watts is delightful as a pregnant Russian hooker, a role that showcases her more than the recent BIRDMAN. Written and directed by Theodore Melfi. With Chris O'Dowd, Terrence Howard, Ann Dowd and Donna Mitchell.