It isn't very often nowadays that Bill Murray has a
lead role in a movie. Broken Flowers was the last one I saw way back in 2005.
The reviews were strong for this one and it also stars Melissa McCarthy and
Naomi Watts who are usually good. Bill's co-lead is played by an 11 year old
and the casting of a child actor can make or break a movie. Thankfully in this
case the casting was spot on. The actor, Jaeden Lieberher, holds his own with
the adults and together they amply supply the movie with equal parts humor
& heart. Murray plays a down on his luck shlub who lives alone and is battling gambling and mortgage issues. McCarthy and her son move in next door and soon after Murray reluctantly agrees to watch the boy while she works long hours as a nurse. The relationship between Murray and the kid reminded me a lot of About a Boy. They of course bond and the kid learns that Murray takes care of his wife who lives in a home and has dementia. It has a very Notebook feel where she recognizes him for brief moments before lapsing back into her void. Naomi Watts plays a pregnant stripper that Murray occasionally pays for sex. Sounds very strange but the movie makes their friendship work. I enjoyed this movie throughout and it was great seeing Murray back on his game.
8/10 RT 75%
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