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Here's my movie review for the week.

St. Vincent
Starring: Bill Murray, Melissa McCarthy, Naomi Watts, Chris O'Dowd, and Jaeden Lieberher)
Synopsis: Thirty years ago Bill Murray lit up the screen in the original “Ghostbusters” film. That was part of a run of larger-than-life characters that Murray played, helping cement his iconic status in comedy. But in the years since “Ghostbusters,” he’s made a transition to a different kind of character. Many of Murray’s recent films have seen him play something a little less larger-than-life, and more often than not a bit quirky. That lines up perfectly with “St. Vincent,” a film that sees him playing a bit of a loser, but someone who has a lot more depth than is visible on the surface. The film also marks a bit of a transition for co-star Melissa McCarthy. McCarthy started on the small screen playing loveable characters, but after her success in “Bridesmaids,” she’s  gone on a run of playing characters a little more caustic here. Not so with “St. Vincent,” a movie that sees her playing a down-on-her-luck mother who is trying to make a way for her son. Writer/director Theodore Melfi wants to tell a story that’s rough around the edges but soft at its heart, and he accomplishes that with “St. Vincent.” It’s a movie that has some comedic moments and some funny sequences, but it’s also a movie that has plenty of drama. Much like Vincent himself, the movie isn’t what it appears to be at first. Much of that is thanks to the depth of the performances and the execution of the story. Melfi has a lot of layers here, and he really builds toward something meaningful at the end of the film. Murray sinks into the role and plays all the sides of Vincent. He’s crass and troubled, but he’s got a good heart. He cares more than he lets on, and that is what helps sell the film. The supporting cast is good here, too. It’s nice to see McCarthy in a more conventional role, playing a normal woman and using her natural charm. After a string of crude bruisers, it’s nice to see her stretching back to her roots. Watts, too, does a nice job as Daka. She’s got some of the funnier sequences and does a nice job nailing the accent. Also good is Chris O’Dowd, who plays a priest that serves as Oliver’s primary teacher. Of course, a film like this is only going to be as good as its child actor. Lieberher does a nice job as Oliver, his first film role. He is wise beyond his years and plays well off Murray in their many scenes with each other. There is a lot to like here. This is a fun movie that’s got heart and rich performances. But it’s not a perfect film. Melfi the writer doesn’t do himself any favors with a couple extraneous storylines in the film, one of which is almost entirely dropped, largely because it’s unnecessary. Those are the kind of things that happen to young filmmakers. But he has an eye for characters and story, both of which are rich in this film. This is a fun and often funny movie that mostly works.
Rating: PG-13 for mature thematic material including sexual content, alcohol and tobacco use, and for language.
Verdict: Three stars out of four.

Upcoming Releases:

Friday, November 7 — "Interstellar," "Big Hero 6," "Jessabelle," "The Theory of Everything"

Friday, November 14 — "Rosewater," "Beyond the Lights," "Dumb and Dumber To," "Foxcatcher"

Friday, November 21 — "The Hunger Games: Mocking Jay, Part One"

Wednesday, November 26 — "Horrible Bosses 2," "The Penguins of Madagascar"