St. Vincent

In recent years, Bill Murray has become an unlikely folk hero, travelling around the United States imparting wisdom at bachelor parties, being a guest bartender at random bars and just doing things Bill Murray would do. His recent Renaissance has given his career a new life other than just being remembered for 80s comedies. This latest film (and debut from Theodore Melfi) may not exactly be a career defining film, but it certainly cements his position as both a comedic and dramatic actor.

Vin (Murray) is ageing war veteran retiree who lives in Brooklyn and spends most of his days drinking or cavorting with Russian prostitute Daka (Naomi Watts). One day, single mother Maggie (Melissa McCarthy) moves in next door with her young son Oliver (Jaeden Lieberher). Vin becomes Oliver's babysitter when Maggie fails to return home after work one day and the two begin an unlikely friendship.

Although Melfi's script is a little predictable at parts, there are some surprising moments of sadness and comedy littered throughout and these are aided along by the entirely convincing performances from both Murray and Lieberher. The moments of sadness and heartbreak that come are touching but also do a fantastic job in building the character of Vin.

Murray's career spanning four decades has given him the skills to be able to alternate between comedy and drama with ease, so it's hardly surprising that he is a wonder here. But the true star is young Jaeden Lieberher, who doesn't have all those years of experience. His character of Oliver has a certain naïvety that soon drops once he begins to spend time with Vin and I can't help feeling that that has something to do with the chemistry between Murray and Lieberher.

The supporting cast acts as a great backup to these two mains. Melissa McCarthy's recent string of films has really worn on me and I don't find her coarse comedy funny at all, but here she has wound it all the way back and isn't searching for or stealing the spotlight, instead becoming a part of a fluid machine, thus becoming more enjoyable to watch. Naomi Watts is another actor who has never really grabbed me, but her gruff portrayal of a pregnant Russian stripper and prostitute is great to watch. As always, Chris O'Dowd is fantastic in a comedic role that isn't Roy.

Verdict: While it may not be a fantastic comedy or drama, St. Vincent is a great movie to get you through a quiet afternoon.

The Company You Keep

This movie is kind of like The Expendables, but instead of washed up action heroes of the 80s, all the actors are classic 70s stars, some of whom you'll recognise and some of whom you won't, and instead of brutal action, it is a complex thriller storyline.

The story focuses on young hotshot reporter for the Albany Sun-Times Ben Shepard (Shia LaBeouf), who after seeing the capture and arrest of a fugitive wanted for a bank robbery in the 70s, Sharon Solarz (Susan Sarandon), follows the story of trying to find the others involved. One of these suspects is James Grant (Robert Redford). Grant, after seeing the capture of Solarz, decides to track down the other person involved in the robbery, so that he can clear his own name.

This leads Grant on a journey through a web of people from his past, all involved in anti-war and anti-government groups in the 70s. Shepard is figuring out some of these connections himself, but hot on Grant's tail is the FBI, led by Agent Cornelius (Terrence Howard). These three people all have their own motivation for finding the third person involved.

I personally have never been a huge fan of Robert Redford. I've seen a few of his films from the 1970s and his last film that he directed as well (2007s Lions For Lambs) and none of his work has ever resonated for me. I found that this film was just motivation for a lot of actors of his generation to come out and play.

There are some good performances in the cameos. Susan Sarandon is haunted by her past actions and needs closure. Julie Christie plays a still psychotic terrorist. The performances from Chris Cooper (American Beauty) and Richard Jenkins (Cabin In The Woods, still one of my favourites that I will get around to reviewing) are stunning. However brief these performances are, there is a resonance that comes through.

The younger generation get a good representation in this film. LaBeouf has come very far from his Transformers days (until another one comes out). His Shepard is a driven reporter who just wants to know the truth, rather than anything else. Brit Marling, who is a relative newcomer, portrays the daughter of one of the officers who initially investigated the robbery. She is only in a few scenes, but she plays them with conviction.

Verdict: Robert Redford has weaved a complex thriller about the past that is decent enough, but could do better.