Highlighted by a charismatic turn from Al Pacino, Danny Collins is a moving and funny tale of redemption and rejuvenation.
Al Pacino fans will know that the self-depreciating master thespian has always fancied himself a comedian. Yet between decades of powerhouse performances that has resulted in him labelled as one of the great actors to grace the screen, that great comedic role never came to fruition. (No, Author! Author! does not count.)
Only fitting then that at the ripe old age of 75 Pacino has found that ever elusive comedic role in the form of Danny Collins, an ageing yet still wildly popular pop star of the Neil Diamond variety (complete with “Sweet Caroline” styled signature tune), whose life of excess is put into a tailspin when his manager (a brilliant Christopher Plummer) tracks down and presents a long lost handwritten letter penned by John Lennon and addressed to a Danny at the infancy of his music career.
Very loosely based on a similar letter correspondence from Lennon to a British folk musician, Danny Collins is written and directed by Dan Fogelman with keen sensitivity and much personality (previous writing credits include Crazy Stupid Love and Last Vegas).
Fogelman wrote the role of Danny for Pacino, and it’s easy to see why: charismatic, energetic yet filled with anguish, Pacino delivers his best turn in a very long time, hiding the fact that he can’t even carry a tune behind a magnetic presence that screams “star”.
The best moments in Danny Collins are those shared between Pacino and a supporting cast of strong talent who take to Fogelman’s dialogue with ease.
The core of the film is the relationship between a reinvigorated Danny and his estranged son Tom (Bobby Cannavale), who is not too pleased that long absent dad is now trying to make amends. Cannavale is best known for his more robust turns, yet here he displays a sensitivity that is at times heartbreaking. Great too is the chemistry between Pacino and Annette Bening, whose turn as a straight shooting hotel manager is fun to watch, and reminds just how talented the Oscar nominee is and how it's a shame that she doesn’t appear in more movies.
There is much to like in Danny Collins. It has personality, warmth and great actors delivering great turns. Pacino is especially good. But then again, when he chooses the right material that is always the case.
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