Equal parts heart-warming comedy and heart-breaking tragedy, St. Vincent is a retelling of a well-worn story which leaves the broad-strokes of the plot predictable from the start.

Some salvation comes from Murray’s contained performance and Lieberher’s youthfully innocent debut, backed by a top-notch jukebox soundtrack.

The movie’s moral is to not judge people on first impressions; this message is as wobbly as Watts’ Russian accent and stripper heels. Unforgivable actions are pardoned without rebuke and the supporting cast (O’Dowd, Howard, even McCarthy) are sinfully underused.

Do not, however, judge this film by its trailer – there is more to see here.

St. Vincent is one to watch but is unlikely to be remembered. Although believers in the almighty Bill will find much to rejoice in, viewers not already baptised into the church of Murray may not be converted.   

Rating: 3/5

INFORMATION

CAST: Bill Murray, Melissa McCarthy, Naomi Watts, Chris O’Dowd, Terrence Howard, Jaeden Lieberher

DIRECTOR: Theodore Melfi

WRITERS: Theodore Melfi

SYNOPSIS: A young boy whose parents have just divorced finds an unlikely friend and mentor in the misanthropic, bawdy, hedonistic war veteran who lives next door.