‘Danny Collins’ is a Return to Form for Al Pacino

Danny Collins (8 out of 10)  – Written and Directed by Dan Fogelman; Starring: Al Pacino, Annette Bening, Jennifer Garner, Bobby Cannavale and Christopher Plummer; Rated R for language, drug use, and some nudity, in limited release April 3, 2015.

In “Danny Collins,” Al Pacino reminds us that he hasn’t forgotten how to act, delivering one of his best performances in the last decade and a half alongside a cast of other heavy-hitters who do just as well. 

Danny Collins is the story of an aging rock star, somewhere between Neil Diamond and a member of The Eagles in musical styling, still selling tickets and greatest hits albums, but his glory days are long behind him. When his manager, amazingly played by Christopher Plummer, gives him a present on his birthday of a letter John Lennon wrote to him years before, Collins decides to go on a journey of self-discovery.

He attempts to start writing his own music again, and give up the drugs and booze. And, even more difficult, to connect with a son (Cannavale– who is the best he has been since “The Station Agent”) who was the result of a one night stand.

It’s heartfelt, it’s fun, and it’s good to see acting heavyweights like Pacino, Cannavale, Garner, Plummer, and Bening given something to do. An attempt at a romantic relationship between Collins and Mary, the manager of the hotel he moves into, played by Bening, is good for a lot of laughs and heart.

Oh, and the soundtrack is all done with John Lennon songs. 

For Beatles fans, for acting fans, for film fans, this is a good use of your 2 hours. And tell me you’re not singing the hook from “Sweet Baby Doll, what’s going on? What’s going on?” for the next week. 

8 out of 10