Review: 'St. Vincent' is Conventional Yet Well-Acted

George Huertas ‘16 / Emertainment Monthly Staff Writer

St. Vincent is a competent, safe, conventional film. It’s a film one could see with their parents without fear of offending them, should said parents not be afraid of a few naughty words or the occasional (non-explicit) sex scene. However, this isn’t meant to be casting shade towards the film. Indeed, Theodore Melfi’s film (which he also scripted) is the best kind of conventional film. It’s one that, while not pushing any envelopes, executes its story well.
This can be mainly attributed to the characters that Melfi writes and the actors who perform them. While Bill Murray, who plays the titular Vincent, is certain to receive the lion’s share of praise as a surly, unkempt, drunken lout, the supporting cast draws more than a fair amount of pathos from their respective characters.
Melissa McCarthy delivers an uncharacteristically low-key, even-tempered performance as a single mother struggling to raise her son. There are few scenes where McCarthy’s Maggie doesn’t have a look of worry or tiredness on her face. While she does get a few quippy zings, McCarthy’s main role in St. Vincent is to play the straight man to the cast of eccentrics that surrounds her.

Also of note is Naomi Watts as Vincent’s (sort-of) love interest, Daka. A pregnant stripper and occasional lady of the night, Daka has found little work as of late. In fact, it seems that Vincent is the only one who gives her any manner of affection. While unconventional and strange, the relationship between her and Vincent is one based on a mutual foundation of respect and tenderness.
Finally, there is the role of Oliver, played by Jaeden Lieberher. Oliver is a role that is arguably as important as Vincent’s, as he forms the foundation for Vincent’s transformation from unlikeable drunken lout to… a likeable drunken lout. Oliver is an intelligent, if socially stunted young man in desperate need of a father figure, one he finds in the unlikely form of Vincent. Lieberher imbues Oliver with a believable mixture of wide-eyed childishness with a sense of precociousness. Occasionally, the role dips dangerously close to the cliche of the child wise-beyond-his-years, but Lieberher gives Oliver enough likability to carry his performance through the film.
St. Vincent, while a conventional film, is nevertheless a competent one, and comes with a recommendation.
Overall Grade: B
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