WATCH THE TRAILER HERE
Writer/Producer Dan Fogelman takes the director’s chair for the first time in telling the story of former and aging rock star Danny Collins (Al Pacino) whose true glory days are now decades behind him, despite his attempts to still experience the extravagant lifestyle, performing, and reckless behavior the career has brought him. But then an unexpected birthday gift from his long-time manager Frank Grubman (Christopher Plummer), which heralds back to his very beginnings as a star in 1971, throws everything into a new perspective and makes him realize that there are now many aspects of his existence and success that might have gone drastically different, Danny departs the West Coast and heads to New Jersey. Setting up shop in a hotel and winning the hearts of the staff, including the manager Mary Sinclair (Annette Benning), Danny begins to reinvent himself by returning to songwriting as well as taking another huge step-reconnecting with a son he never met, Tom Donnelly (Bobby Cannavale), along with his wife Samantha (Jennifer Garner) and young daughter Hope (Giselle Eisenberg). Initially awkward, indifferent, and angry, Tom slowly begins to find common ground and connection with his estranged father, even as Frank arrives in Jersey in an attempt to make Danny realize he needs to get back into touring. As new circumstances arise and choices are made, Danny even moreso begins to see what is really important and that some things have far more worth than others.
On the surface, this would be a film that might not necessarily have been as engaging as it was had it not been for the wonderfully veteran talents of its cast and the interesting starting twist the story’s premise is built on. Pacino, as always, is a complete gem here, able to instill Collins’ character with that fantastic blend of over-the-top charm and humor, while also showing a more muted, sober side of a man whose life and career has become stagnant and unfulfilling, but is then given a real chance to fight for something far better. Add to this his whimsical chemistry and banter with Benning’s Mary and this alone makes the film worthwhile. Plummer’s cantankerous yet practical and, ultimately, deeply caring Frank is a joy to witness, especially coming from an actor whose played about every kind of part one can play in a very storied screen career. Likewise, fresher face Cannavale infuses Tom with a believable reaction to a father he never knew suddenly becoming a part of his life and the status it is in. Garner is charming and Eisenberg is an absolute doll. For this reviewer, the expected and copious amount of language in the film wasn’t a complete distraction as it sometimes can be in certain contexts, but a completely gratuitous shower scene was a disappointment to find here, truly unnecessary in the grand scheme of the tale, regardless of being about a rock star or not. Overall, though, “Danny Collins” is another winning indie effort to view.
As always, this is all for your consideration and comment. Until next time, thank you for reading!
