In what is easily Bill Murrays best singing performance since he gutted out Roxy Musics More Than Thisat karaoke in Lost in Translation, the beloved actor harmonizes along with Bob Dylans classic Shelter From the Storm in the new film St. Vincent. In this touching long-shot, Murray immerses himself into his character right down to the camo shorts and Walkmen strapped to his chest, listening to the Blood on the Tracksfavorite while watering his small potted plant (which looks dead already) with a hose.
In the film, Murray portrays a curmudgeonly military vet who forms a friendship with a 12-year-old boy in whats been hailed as another top-notch and potential Oscar-worthy performance. The movieinitially premiered as the closing festivities of Bill Murray Day September 5th at the Toronto International Film Festival and will open in select theaters this Friday beforeopening nationwide on October 24th.
Even more incredible than Murrays Dylan sing-along is the story behind how first-time director Ted Melfi convinced the actor to appear in the film. As Melfi told the Wall Street Journal, Murray doesnt have an agent, publicist or manager, so the only way of pitching a script to the actor is by calling an 1-800 number. After finally getting on Murrays radar, an attorney for the actor requested Melfi send a one-page letter to Murrays various residences across the U.S. The whole odyssey Melfi had to endure in order to cast Murray captures the uniqueness of one of our most cherished actors.