Murray looking dapper at the 2009 Toronto International Film Festival

By Chris Nafekh, Staff Writer

Published in print Dec 3, 2014.

I’ll tell it at the start: this article contains spoilers for those interested in seeing “St. Vincent”. But I get the feeling there are few people that are worried, because I doubt many people are ridged with anticipation to see this new comedy.

“St. Vincent” is a heartwarming story in which Murray plays a disgruntled old man. His character, Vincent, is a victim of several addictions with a progressing gambling problem. Melissa McCarthy moves in next door to him. Her son Oliver has a hard time dealing with school bullies, so Vincent takes Oliver under his wing.

The story is heartwarming. Vincent teaches Oliver about life, self-defense and the economics of horse racing. In return, he re-learns compassion through the young boy.

This movie is less funny than one would think.  It relies on the relationship between these two characters, and turns into a cheesy, heartfelt statement on friendship and kindness.

But the question remains. Why would Bill Murray choose to play this part, as opposed to another? Where has he gone, the Murray of the past, who portrayed such diverse characters as Hunter S. Thompson or Steve Zissou, and made comedy classics like “Groundhog Day”?

Murray has strong history in independent film.  “Lost in Translation” is a transient romance that any film buff should watch once.  His role in “Broken Flowers” was obscure, and the Romanian jazz soundtrack set a droll atmosphere. These movies have strong cult followings, thanks to Murray’s sarcastically humorous comedy.

And then there is the question every fan wants to ask. Why did he refuse to make “Ghostbusters 3”? A script was written, and both Dan Aykroyd and Harold Ramis supported the third installment.

But Murray remained stubborn, refusing to revive his role as Peter Venkman. For a while, the writers considered portraying Dr.Venkman as a ghost, thus allowing Murray to only lend his voice. This same draft script had the Ghostbusters traveling to an alternate dimension, in which Manhattan is a living hell on earth. Murray told Variety magazine this was “crazy bizarre and too crazy to comprehend.”

Murray’s view of a third “Ghostbusters” would’ve included a female-centric cast.  He told The Toronto Star during the Toronto film festival he would love to see his co-star, Melissa McCarthy as a new Ghostbuster. “Melissa would be a fantastic Ghostbuster. And Kristen Wiig is so funny – God, she’s funny!”

Unfortunately for fans, any possibility of “Ghostbusters 3” deteriorated when Harold Ramis passed on earlier this February. But why “St. Vincent”? That question is easily answered after seeing the film. 

Bill Murray, like any good actor, wants to identify with his character. The character should be complex, and show a level of skill on the part of the actor.

In a lot of ways, Vincent opened these doors for Bill. The development of a good-willed, flawed character caught his eye. Midway through the film, Vincent falls ill, and Murray acts in a way that can bring tears to middle-aged women. For others, it might just feel strange, seeing this funnyman bring to life a veteran, an alcoholic and stroke victim.

Besides that, the movie had plot holes, and several re-used jokes. What happened to Vincent’s piling debt, and the people to whom he owed money? If you’re really, truly anxious to see this new flic, don’t be. Wait for the DVD, or for Wes Anderson to write Murray another role.