FilmSnobReviews

Title: Danny Collins
MPAA Rating: R
Director: Dan Fogelman
Starring: Al Pacino, Annette Bening, Jennifer Garner
Runtime: 1 hr 46 mins

What It Is: While on tour for his recently released greatest hits compilation former singer/songwriter Danny Collins (Pacino) is starting to realize that perhaps his life is not headed in a positive direction. Reliant on cocaine, and being cheated on by his much younger fiancee it’s not a great place to be. When his manager gives him a letter sent to Danny by John Lennon over 40 years ago he comes to realize this, and he moves in to a Hilton in Jersey managed by Mary (Bening) in hopes of turning his life around. Trying to clean up his act, and reconnect with his estranged son (Bobby Cannavale). Maybe it’ll all fall apart, maybe it’ll all work out. Who knows the real question is “Hey Baby Doll what’s goin’ on?” You’re welcome.

What We Think: I really enjoyed this film! I did not expect this film to be what it was. Despite all it’s genre cliches Pacino is just too damn endearing. There’s chemistry between he and Bening, and you buy Cannavale as his son by the closing frame. There’s a nice quiet comedy in here as well. Directionally it’s flawed and Fogelman is all over the place. That’s one of the films biggest errors. Too often it flips on a dime out of nowhere. I would challenge every FilmSnob out there to watch this film and not have Danny Collins’ most popular song stuck in your damn brain!

Our Grade: B, Totally one of my biggest surprises of the year. After sitting through the borefest that was The Humbling I though Pacino was done…and I mean DONE! Nonetheless here he seems refreshed and reinvigorated. I’m going to go ahead and recommend you all check this one out, especially since it’s already on Blu-Ray and DVD.