Murray finds his career-best role in 'St. Vincent'

"St. Vincent," is the kind of movie that makes you appreciate what an underappreciated actor can do when he (or she, for that matter) is given the right role. In this case, it's one Bill Murray.

Murray is infamous -- and rightfully so -- for playing wiseacres. He seems naturally good at it, like it's a skill that he was gifted with at birth, not one that he has to constantly sharpen.

But what Murray is rarely credited for is his genuine acting ability. In recent years, Murray has made a number of films that allow him to display his depth. From his shoulda-been Oscar-nominated performance in "Rushmore" to his shoulda-won Oscar-nominated role in "Lost in Translation," Murray has earned the right to being seen as a serious actor who can also be drop-dead funny.

And in "St. Vincent," Murray has found the best role of his career. Murray portrays Vincent, a broke and sour older man who seems to be fueled by not-so-fine booze, has a dangerously long losing streak at the horse track and frequently shares his bed with Daka, a pregnant Russian stripper (played by Naomi Watts). In other words, Vincent is well down the slippery slope toward a bad, sad end.

Into his life comes crashing (literally) a pair of new neighbors -- a medical technician named Maggie (Melissa McCarthy) and her young son, Oliver (newcomer Jaeden Lieberher). She's divorcing her unfaithful husband and looking for a fresh start for herself and her boy. In the process of moving into the house next to Vincent's, the movers back into Vincent's tree, knocking a branch free, which lands squarely on Vincent's mid-80s LeBaron convertible.

As bad as Vincent's life is, Oliver's is tough, too. He's the new kid in a Catholic school, and while his teachers, including Brother Geraghty (Chris O'Dowd), are more than kind to him, he takes the brunt of a bully's (Dario Barosso) wrath.

On his first day at school, Oliver's gym locker is cleaned out by the bully -- meaning he has no keys, wallet or phone. He walks to his new home, figures out that he won't be able to get in, then decides to do the unthinkable: knock on Vincent's door and ask to use the phone. Vincent moans and groans, but lets the boy into his home. They bond over Abbott and Costello, sardines and saltines, and particularly, Vincent's long-haired cat. When Maggie comes home from a very long shift at the hospital to pick up Oliver, Vincent offers to watch the boy after school -- for $12 an hour.

Over the weeks and months that follow, Oliver and Vincent grow inseparable, and even as Vincent is seemingly teaching his young charge all the wrong lessons about life -- taking him to the dive bar he frequents, or bringing him to the track for a quick lesson in gambling and "mitigation" -- it's clear that a deep affection has grown between the lonely boy and the perhaps lonelier man. Then there is a sudden turn that throws their lives into turmoil, something that threatens Vincent's life and could potentially shatter their relationship.

It's here that Murray's performance changes, becoming somehow bolder and more remarkable. In a role that allows him to explore a fairly rich character, Murray finds more layers within Vincent than I could have ever expected. The movie also benefits from very strong supporting work: Watts, McCarthy and O'Dowd are all terrific in their roles, not slipping into the expected archetypes. Lieberher is good, too; his scenes with Murray ring true.

Writer-director Theodore Melfi makes his feature film debut with this movie, and deserves to be remembered -- along with Murray -- around Oscar time. "St. Vincent" is a funny, moving and humane piece of work.

Content advisory: "St. Vincent" is rated PG-13 for mature thematic material including sexual content, alcohol and tobacco use, and for language. The movie does tiptoe to the R-rated line, but doesn't cross it. There is a non-nude sex scene near the beginning of the film, and although it's not graphic, it may make some viewers a little uncomfortable. There is also a strip club scene (no nudity in it either) that's played comedically. Vincent is a heavy drinker for most of the film. Many of the characters use fairly strong language throughout the film. There are a few scenes of school bullying and fighting that end in bloodied noses.