St. Vincent Blu-ray Review

The Blu-ray presentation of "St. Vincent" arrives with a heavenly 1080p transfer. The film-sourced presentation is impressive, capturing fine-tuned details and precise colors with a light grain overlay. Outstanding textures are evident throughout, from facial features and subtle clothing details to the wood and brick elements of Vincent's home. The clarity is top-notch, ensuring that even minor elements are richly accurate in every shot. Colors appear vibrant and natural, with standout features like the deep red bricks outside Vincent's home and vibrant greens scattered throughout. However, black levels exhibit some crush issues, which tend to obscure details in darker scenes.

Detail in the 1080p 1.78:1 presentation is nothing short of spectacular, with the untouched film grain contributing to a bright, fun image. The crispness extends to the beard stubble on Bill Murray’s perpetually unshaven face, highlighting the high-definition transfer's prowess. However, problems do arise in night shots and darker scenes, where black levels occasionally suffer from crush issues, sometimes leading to characters appearing as floating heads in the darkness. Additionally, a brief instance of light flicker during a slow-motion scene can be slightly distracting. Despite these minor setbacks, the overall quality of the HD presentation is very solid, making "St. Vincent" a joy to watch on Blu-ray.

The DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 lossless soundtrack for "St. Vincent" delivers a robust and immersive audio experience. Notably, the musical selections featured in the film exhibit a vast stage presence and substantial surround support. While some high-frequency elements might not be perfectly refined, the overall power and expansive placement overshadow these minor issues. The sound effects, ranging from the low-frequency rumble of racehorses to the engine noise of a lawnmower, are depicted with realistic clarity and ease. Minor ambient noises, such as passing traffic, children's play, and rustling leaves, add to the film's sense of immersion, drawing the listener deeply into the primary characters' world.

Dialogue clarity is another strong suit of this track. The spoken words are seamlessly delivered from the center channel, maintaining clear and precise articulation throughout the film. This is particularly evident during Oliver's concluding speech, which features a rich reverberation that fills the auditorium setting realistically. The track's balance between dialogue, sound effects, and music ensures that neither the quieter moments nor any subtle sonic details are lost. Additionally, this English DTS-HD Master Audio track is supplemented by Spanish and French 5.1 tracks, broadening its accessibility.

Overall, "St. Vincent's" audio presentation excels in delivering an engaging and authentic auditory experience. With its well-defined sound effects, immersive ambient details, and clear dialogue delivery, it provides a commendable auditory environment that enhances the narrative impact.

The Blu-ray release of "St. Vincent" includes a modest yet engaging selection of extras focused mainly on deleted scenes and a featurette. The deleted scenes provide additional context and character development, though it's clear why some were cut. The standout is the Q&A session featuring Bill Murray and others from the Toronto International Film Festival, which offers insightful anecdotes and behind-the-scenes perspectives. This featurette shifts effectively between discussions about "St. Vincent" and reflecting on Murray's career, including notable phases like "Ghostbusters." While the extras don't warrant repeated viewings for everyone, they add significant value for fans interested in further exploring the film's production and characters.

Extras included in this disc:

• Deleted Scenes: Various character-focused scenes offering additional context.
• Bill Murray Is St. Vincent: The Patron Saint of Comedy: Informative Q&A from TIFF with cast and crew.

"St. Vincent," Theodore Melfi's debut feature film, presents a fascinating narrative centered around a down-on-his-luck elderly man named Vincent, masterfully portrayed by Bill Murray. The storyline, at first glance, invokes comparisons to films like "Bad Grandpa" with its initial comedic overtones. However, the movie matures into a heartwarming and dramatic exploration of humanity and redemption. Vincent, a debt-ridden, hard-drinking gambler finds an unlikely companion in Oliver, a young boy whose mother, played by Melissa McCarthy, is forced to trust Vincent with her child's care. The plot weaves through Vincent's unconventional mentorship where he introduces Oliver to his gritty world yet reveals a softer side through his caring visits to his Alzheimer's-stricken wife.

Bill Murray delivers an exceptional performance, his portrayal of Vincent layered with subtlety and depth. The movie takes the audience on an emotional journey, transitioning from light-hearted comedy to a deeper drama that never feels contrived or overly sentimental. Murray’s characteristic dry humor provides balance, making Vincent’s emergence as a relatable and endearing character feel genuine. His interactions with Oliver bring out Vincent’s hidden tenderness and vulnerability, capturing the essence of a man whose rough exterior masks a truly caring soul. Melissa McCarthy contributes significantly with her poignant depiction of a struggling single mother, while Naomi Watts provides commendable support as Daka, the pregnant prostitute with more wisdom than her circumstances might suggest.

The film’s strength lies in its honest portrayal of flawed characters who find redemption through unexpected relationships. Jaeden Lieberher as Oliver offers an impressive performance, blending innocence and resolve. The dynamic between him and Murray highlights the transformative power of empathy and understanding. "St. Vincent" encourages viewers to look beyond first impressions, illustrating that even the most seemingly irredeemable individuals have the potential for kindness and self-discovery. With Melfi’s direction and a stellar cast, the movie becomes a sincere exploration of humanity's inherent good.

"St. Vincent" is a film that adroitly blends a somewhat dark thematic core with an unexpectedly cheery overlay, revealing a tenderness that deepens as the narrative progresses to its sincere and predictably heartfelt finale. The storyline facilitates a natural unfolding of character layers rather than traditional evolution, portraying fundamentally likable individuals who initially appear less so due to their outward complexities. Bill Murray's standout performance is a masterclass in capturing both the inward and outward intricacies of his role, solidifying the film's placing as a notable piece of cinema from 2014.

Anchor Bay's Blu-ray release of "St. Vincent" excels in both video and audio quality. The visual presentation is robust, ensuring that viewers can appreciate the film's visual subtleties and color palette fully. The audio track complements the strong visuals with clarity and depth, enhancing the overall viewing experience. However, the disc's supplemental material is minimal, consisting only of deleted scenes and a featurette. Despite this shortfall, the high-quality audio-visual experience compensates well for the lack of substantial bonus content.

In conclusion, "St. Vincent" stands out as a finely crafted film that successfully intertwines humor with heartfelt storytelling, supported by strong performances, particularly from Bill Murray. The Blu-ray release, while limited in extras, delivers where it counts the most: in providing an excellent viewing and listening experience. This combination makes it a highly recommended addition to any film enthusiast's collection.