Oliver is a well mannered 12-year-old boy growing up in Brooklyn, having recently moved to a rough part of town after his parents separated. He has a tough time at his strict Catholic school and can’t find time to confide in his mum, who is working long hours as a nurse to pay for the boy’s education and upkeep. Oliver comes into the orbit of his curmudgeonly neighbour Vincent who, reluctantly and at a price, takes on babysitting duties. This responsibility does little to calm Vincent’s hedonism, and Oliver is dragged along to bars and the track, as well as being introduced to Daka, a pregnant Eastern European prostitute who is seemingly the only other person who will tolerate Vincent’s ways. Yet Oliver is keen to find some goodness in the man.

A sincere, feel good comedy with a strong supporting cast that includes Melissa McCarthy, Naomi Watts and Chris O’Dowd, St. Vincent serves to illustrate what a incomparably brilliant comic actor Bill Murray still is. Newcomer Jaeden Lieberher holds his own playing opposite Murray’s scene stealing turn. (Notes by Michael Hayden.)