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St. Vincent

Written and directed by Theodore Melfi, released in U.S. theaters Oct. 24, 2014, PG-13

 St. Vincent Murray, as a sour yet compassionate , a new movie starring Bill Vietnam veteran, marks the feature film directorial debut of writer-director Theodore Melfi, who was inspired by events in his own life. His father-in-law was a Vietnam veteran who had abandoned his children when Melfi’s wife was 9, but who reconciled with her as an adult. This is a story of redemption, with a twist—it’s hilarious.

Murray revisits his signature comedic style in the title role of Vincent, who desperately needs money. Vincent’s new neighbor, Maggie (Melissa McCarthy), is going through a divorce and hires him as an after-school sitter for her 12-year-old son, Oliver (Jaeden Lieberher). Vincent helps Oliver overcome school bullies, and Oliver discovers the goodness in Vincent, who, it turns out, had been awarded a Bronze Star at the Battle of Ia Drang.

This “dramedy” about finding compassion received third place in the People’s Choice Awards category at the Toronto International Film Festival.

 

Originally published in the February 2015 issue of Vietnam. To subscribe, click here.