The first trailer has landed for Theodore Melfi’s dramedy, St. Vincent, in which Bill Murray stars as a grumpy old so-and-so, living alone with barely a penny to his name in a state of perennial gruffness.

However, his mood gradually starts to lighten with the next-door arrival of Melissa McCarthy and her precocious young son, with whom he begins to forge a bond.

Murray looks to be in fine form here in a role that was clearly written for him, while McCarthy also looks good value in a straighter part than usually comes her way.

Take a look at the new trailer, below…

The trailer hints at a touch of schmaltz as things get a little life-lesson-ish, but hopefully the film itself won’t ladle it on too heavily. With Murray in the leading role, there should be plenty of sour to cut through the saccharine…

Directed by Melfi and co-starring Chris O’Dowd, Naomi Watts and Terrence Howard, St. Vincent will open in the US on 24 October 2014, with a UK date to be confirmed.