With Theodore Melfi of ‘Winding Road’ fame behind the wheels, the comedy-drama film ‘St. Vincent’ is a celebration of innocence. The life of drunken hermit Vincent changes for the better when he encounters the courteous neighbor Oliver. He strikes a good deal with Oliver’s mother, taking responsibility for Oliver’s childcare. During the trip, Vincent and Oliver grow fond of each other. The family-themed film invites audiences to see life in a new light, and you must have smiled as you watched the unlikely duo in their misadventures. If so, we’ve got a few more cinematic gems to please your senses. You can watch most of these movies like ‘St. Vincent’ on Netflix, Hulu or Amazon Prime.
7. Rushmore (1998)
Wes Anderson’s indie comedy venture “Rushmore” has cemented its place in the canon of greatest comedy films. Tenure Rushmore Academy student Max (Jason Schwartzman) is a pro at extracurriculars, but he rarely has time to read the textbooks. Max wants to build a school aquarium to impress first-grade teacher Mrs. Cross (Olivia Williams), and among his most potential financiers is Blume (Bill Murray). However, Max is shocked to discover that Blume is courting Mrs. Cross – and gradually reaches his epiphany. Suppose you want to see another movie that relies on a mentor-mentee relationship like ‘St. Vincent, ‘this quirky independent business is a good choice.
6. As Good As It Gets (1997)
James L. Brooks helmed the improbable comedy-drama “As Good as It Gets” with poise and precision. Jack Nicholson shines in the character of Melvin Udall, a misanthropic writer of best-selling romantic novels. He insists on washing his hands and goes to the same cafe for breakfast every morning, sitting at the same table. More importantly, Melvin has a deep hatred for pets. However, his life changes when the neighbor’s dog, Verdell, takes a special liking to him against his will. In the process, Melvin and Verdall develop a strong emotional bond. Melvin may appear as Vincent’s polar opposite in “St Vincent”, while they are quite similar in many ways.
5. The Karate Kid (1984)
Director John G. Avildsen caused a storm with his martial arts film “Karate Kid”. Daniel and his mother move from New Jersey to California, and Daniel is bullied in his new neighborhood. Fortunately, he falls into the care of Master Miyagi, a lonely grumpy kung fu genius, and learns to pack a few punches. With several sequels and spinoffs in its wake, the film is a ubiquitous ’80s classic. In ‘St. Vincent’ Vincent saves Oliver from a gang of bullies and gives him boxing lessons, which reminds us of the equations between Daniel and Miyagi in this film.
4. Capernaum (2018)
Nadine Labaki brought to life a heartbreaking vision of a world marred by injustice in the Lebanese drama film “Capernaum”. The story revolves around Zain El Hajj, a twelve-year-old boy from the streets of Beirut, who is serving time for stabbing someone. When his oppressive parents marry off his 11-year-old sister, Zain takes the parents to court. Movies can exude strong emotions, mostly through child characters, but this film’s commitment to realistic portrayal is unwavering. If after ‘St. Vincent, ‘you want to further explore the quirks of the world through the eyes of a child; this movie is where you should put your money.
3. The Kid on a Bike (2011)
With film maestros Luc Dardenne and Jean-Pierre Dardenne at the helm, the drama film “The Kid on a Bike” hides a viscous compassion within it. Cyril, 12, has a difficult childhood. After his father abandons him, he finds himself in the care services. In the meantime, Cyril finds a friend at the local hairdresser Samantha, who takes pity on him. As Samantha agrees to accompany Cyril on the weekends, they become close friends in the process. Suppose you wanted another quirky tale about a child’s spiritual relationship with an adult after ‘St. Vincent”, it’s a movie that you should add to your to-do list.
2. The Bicycle Thieves (1948)
Pioneering Italian filmmaker Vittorio de Sica painted a gritty portrait of post-war Italy in the groundbreaking classic drama film “The Bicycle Thieves.” After the war, the economy collapsed and unemployment rates soared. In the meantime, Antonio Ricci is happy to get a job pasting posters, but his happiness wanes when the bike, his only asset, is stolen. Promising his chirpy son a treat at a fancy restaurant, Antonio takes his son on a sprawling journey to find the lost bike. Oliver’s character is quite talkative in ‘St. Vincent,” and if you want to experience another lively childish performance in the movies, this movie is where you should head next.
1. Eternity and a Day (1998)
Bringing young and old into the same setting gives a new perspective to life. While several films attempted to follow the recipe for cinematic success, very few films were able to replicate the poetic tone of Greek director Theo Angelopoulos’ introspective drama “Eternity and a Day.” Bruno Ganz delivers his performance of a lifetime as Alexander, a writer struggling with cancer and the loss of his wife. By sheer chance, he embarks on a journey to reach the home of an Albanian child – revisiting his past in the process. If after ‘St. Vincent”, you are looking to watch another film that chronicles a chance relationship between a young boy and an old man, this cinematic masterpiece will delight you.
Read more: Where was Saint-Vincent filmed?
