Somebody Pinch Me

These days, when you actually see a good movie, you're stunned.  So much that descends upon our multiplexes is such garbage that a decent film is even more welcome when it shows up.  That's the case with "St. Vincent."

First off, this movie defies the odds as far as I am personally concerned.  I mean, it co-stars Melissa McCarthy and it's not vile or dreadful.  I have no idea how that just happened, but it did.  Indeed, her work here is very nuanced and thoughtful.  For Pete's sake, there just might be a decent actress lying under all those layers and chins. 

Don't get me wrong.  There's nothing new or original about "St. Vincent."  You've seen the plot a dozen or so times before.  Cranky old man befriends the kid next door.   His parents just broke up.  Mom is a single parent and needs help.  The cranky old guy and the kid develop a relationship.  All is right with the world.

Yes, I know.  You've seen that.  In fact, with part of the early emphasis in this film on beating up a school bully, "St. Vincent" is one judo chop away from being a complete rip-off of "The Karate Kid."  Wax on, wax off.

But, credit screenwriter and director Theodore Melfi (no relation to Tony Soprano's shrink) with taking a hum-drum plot and making it seem fresh and alive all over again.  Melfi imports a variety of different shadings to the story that make it work, most notably in the area of religion.  The kid in the story is supposed to be Jewish and winds up going to a Catholic school in Sheepshead Bay, Brooklyn.  If that's not fertile ground all by itself, I don't know what it is.

The other major reason why "St, Vincent" turns out to be such a special and surprising film is the acting.  Spot-on across the board.  Bill Murray is getting some well deserved Oscar buzz as the perpetually drunk and in-debt curmudgeon next door.  Indeed, he's involved with a Russian pole dancer who may be pregnant with his child.  Naomi Watts is virtually unrecognizable as the Russkie whore but ultimately steals every scene she's in.  And, yes, Melissa McCarthy does get off a few "F" bombs just like every other movie she's ever done.  But, there is something inexplicably likeable about her work here.  Hell, even I was impressed.

Of course, a movie like this is mostly dependent upon the skill of the kid in question and young Jaeden Lieberher is up to the task as Oliver.  He's never cloying or cute.  And you generally feel for him when he's getting the cream cheese kicked out of him in the first three reels.  The kid makes it all work and he's got a future as both an actor and a punching bag.

"St. Vincent" is also that rarity in the cinema that comes in with a running time of under 2 hours.  There is no waste or fat in the script or the direction.  Theodore Melfi tells the story with no embellishment.  He gets you out of the theater efficiently.   With a big smile on your face.  You laugh.  You cry.  You simply have a good time at the picture house.

Right now, "St. Vincent" is one of the best movies I've seen in 2014.  And, given the trailers I've seen recently of the Hollywood fare for the holiday season, that ranking is safe and secure.

LEN'S RATING:  Four stars.

Dinner last night:  Leftover London Broil and veggies.