I don’t know why more multi-generational buddy flicks aren’t made. Most are better than average and a relative high percentage, like Harold and Maude and About a Boy, are exceptional. I think those odds are much better than, say, horror, where you’re guaranteed a quality moment of footage like clockwork at least once every fortnight or so.
Title character Vincent (Bill Murray) is no saint. He’s an ugly, angry, ill-informed, perpetually gambling, deadbeat drunk. He isn’t nice to anybody – not to the teller at the bank, not to the bartender who serves him above and beyond the call and certainly not to Daka (Naomi Watts), the pregnant Russian whore he screws. I like characters of this type, because I rarely get to see the description “irascible cur” in print.
So if St. Vincent is no saint … what’s with the title? Neighbors move in; Vincent is alerted by a sloppy moving company damaging his car. While he’s busy yelling at them and leveraging a new fence (that he himself damaged in a drunk driving binge the previous night), he’s introduced to Maggie (Melissa McCarthy, thankfully subdued and much better here than her recent lead roles) and her bully-magnet of a son, Oliver (Jaeden Lieberher). Oliver proves everything Vincent isn’t – scrawny, polite, intelligent, likeable and big-hearted. Unfortunately at Oliver’s age, it’s the “scrawny” part that gets one in trouble. Thugs begin by shoving him around and taking his stuff. Without phone, key or clothes, he’s forced to guess the way home and throws himself to the mercy of his neighbor.
Vincent wants no part of it until he realizes there could be a paycheck involved for babysitting while divorced mom works overtime. For dinner, Vincent serves crackers and sardines and calls it sushi. Then he complains to mom about the food consumption.
If you’re gonna doubt this film, it’s right at this moment. Oliver probably could use 
supervision after school, but Vincent is not the right one for it. However, the kid sees something in his neighbor that nobody else does, and that includes us. His faith pays off the next day when Oliver’s bully returns. The kid proves brave and slaps the monster, open-handed right on the cheek. I imagine this is how “let’s see who can punch the lightest” contests are played out. Vincent rescues Oliver from what certainly would have been a savage beating.
There’s no question we’re watching clichés unfold – the adventures of Oliver and Vincent are hardly age-appropriate; there’s the invariable lowering of guard and introducing to us elements of Vincent’s life that show him in a much better, even understandable, light. If you buy it (which I did), this is a great film. If you don’t, well, go watch a movie where Bill Murray isn’t an irascible cur; there probably aren’t more than hundred or so to choose among.
♪Sit down at the race track, losing isn’t sweet
If I make some money, got to duck the heat
Sit down ‘front of TV, watching Bud and Lou
Babysittin’ ‘cause this kid don’t know what to do
Way down, far from people. Nothin’ to see
Whoa, grumpy Vincent, repels naturally♫
Rated PG-13, 102 Minutes
D: Theodore Melfi
W: Theodore Melfi
Genre: Odd couple
Type of person most likely to enjoy this film: Lonely curmudgeons
Type of person least likely to enjoy this film: Overprotective mothers
♪ Parody inspired by “Saint Teresa”
