Danny Collins is inspired by the real-life happening on English
folk singer Steve Tilston in which he was unaware for 34 years of a 1971 letter written to
him by John Lennon. This comedy-drama tells the
story of an aged rock legend named Danny Collins (Al Pacino) who experienced the
clichéd, hard-living rock star lifestyle of drugs, booze, and women during the
entirety of his decades-long musical career.
However, after he receives a birthday gift from his best friend/manager
(Christopher Plummer) – an undelivered 40-year old letter written to him by
John Lennon when Danny was at the beginning of his career – he was inspired to radically turn
his life around. He journeys to New
Jersey, settles in a local hotel, flirts with the manager, begins writing an original song for the first time in decades, and – most importantly – makes an attempt to reconcile with
his estranged son (Bobby Cannavale).
Danny Collins is Al Pacino’s best movie in a long time. The story is fresh, charming, and contains a
healthy amount of heartfelt and funny moments.
The excellent acting from Al Pacino and his supporting cast, combined
with the well-written script, ensured that Danny Collins, the central character,
is sympathetic, likable, and develops effortless and instant chemistry with
every character he interacts with.
I quite liked this movie in
general. Though the drama and tension felt
forced at times, and there was a slight derailment of the story’s magnetism in
the third act, it nevertheless offers more to enjoy about. Danny
Collins is definitely one of 2015’s most overlooked gems.
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