Director: Dan Fogelman
Writer: Dan Fogelman
Cast: Al Pacino, Annette Bening, Bobby Cannavale, Jennifer Garner, Christopher Plummer
Certificate: 15
Running Time: 106 min
Special Features: Behind the Scenes / Danny Collins – Album Covers Through the Years
Following successful writing projects including Crazy, Stupid Love, Last Vegas and Tangled, Dan Fogelman makes his first foray into directing with this self-written music-based drama comedy.
With an impressive cast featuring Al Pacino, Annette Bening, Bobby Cannavale, Jennifer Garner and Christopher Plummer alongside an apt John Lennon soundtrack, Danny Collins is a gentle yarn loosely based on the true story of English folk singer Steve Tilston.
Danny Collins (Pacino) is an ageing singer – a strange mix of Neil Diamond and Rod Stewart – in the twilight of his career. Sick of performing the same old songs (his huge hit “Hey Baby Doll” is very reminiscent of “Sweet Caroline”), he is disillusioned with his life and career, relying on alcohol and cocaine to keep himself going. When Danny is given a letter from his idol Lennon that’s been missing for decades, he decides to make some changes in his life; he cancels his tour and leaves his twenty-something fiancée before moving into a Hilton hotel on the outskirts of New Jersey and seeking forgiveness from his son Tom (Cannavale) whom he’s never met.
The story develops nicely and – despite the odd flirt with cliché – has some interesting twists along the way, though most importantly of all for a film of this genre, Danny Collins manages to be both heart-warming and funny. Fogelman‘s dialogue is sharp throughout, the characters all get their turn to draw laughs and there are some genuinely touching moments during the film.
As you might expect, leading man Pacino steals the show, turning in yet-another great performance. Full of his signature charisma and intensity without ever going over-the-top, he’s charming and funny throughout, making Collins a likeable character with whom it’s easy to empathise.
Pacino is no doubt helped by the film’s excellent supporting cast who all turn in great performances. Be it Bening’s hotel-manager-come-love-interest Mary, Plummer’s long-suffering, straight-shooting friend/manager Frank or Garner’s earnest but warm Samantha, the ensemble all make the film a pleasure to watch. Despite this, it’s the casting of Bobby Cannavale as Collins’ son Tom that really stands out from the others. Pacino and Cannavale have worked together before (on stage in Glengarry Glen Ross) and they appear to have forged a fantastic chemistry, perfectly selling their developing relationship as estranged father and son, allowing for some wonderful moments as the film progresses.
It might not be my first choice of genre but there’s no denying that Danny Collins is an absolute pleasure to watch. With an interesting story and a blend of sentiment, humour and genuine star quality, Danny Collins definitely hits the right notes.
Danny Collins is available to own on DVD and Blu-ray from 5th October 2015.
