Review: ‘Danny Collins’ is a charmer until the end (Includes first-hand account)
Every life consists of a series of “what ifs.” The product of any alteration can be as trivial as not missing the elevator or as monumental as a major career shift. While little can be done about the past, realizing what could have been can inspire change for the future. In Danny Collins, an aging pop star discovers a missed opportunity that causes him to re-evaluate his entire life.
Danny Collins (Al Pacino) was one of the world’s most famous pop idols about 50 years ago. Now he milks his former stardom by touring and reissuing the same old singles, and profiting from all the royalties. Then a birthday present changes everything. Danny’s manager and best friend (Christopher Plummer) gives him a framed letter from John Lennon in which the former Beatle suggests Danny call him so they could talk about collaborating. Danny immediately gives up drugs and his twenty-something girlfriend to run off to the New Jersey suburbs and write his first original song in 20 years. In addition, he considers dating someone nearer his age and attempts to reconnect with his grown son who lives in the vicinity.
The aging icon is becoming a popular theme as many of Hollywood’s greatest contributors grow older. In fact, Pacino already played a washed up stage performer trying to recapture his former glory in The Humbling. In comparison, this film is funnier and considerably lighter. When Danny decides to confront and purge his vices in an effort to reclaim what could have been, his carefree approach is very amusing particularly when dealing with his greedy girlfriend. Pacino turns on the charm and combined with Danny’s heartthrob status, he can pretty much get anything he wants from almost anyone — except the hotel manager played by Annette Bening, who refuses to go on a date with the self-assured flirt.
Dan Fogelman has written several star-studded dramedies, but this is his first time in the director’s chair. This style of narrative is undoubtedly one in which he’s comfortable and he’s casted a group of exceptional actors, which together make his debut behind the camera relatively straightforward. Consequently there’s nothing ground-breaking about this film, but it is enjoyable.
Director: Dan Fogelman
Starring: Al Pacino, Annette Bening and Bobby Cannavale
