Never done this before, but here are two reviews of this film. Pick the one you like.
The Positive Review
As he has so often done in his career, veteran actor Al Pacino takes this morality tale of a failed musician to heights never before imagined even by the screenwriter, and gives energy to a story which cannot fail to grab the viewer. Pacino's yeoman effort is aided abetted by Jennifer Garner and Annette Bening, both of whom infuse their characters with a spirit of optimism and decency which works well in counterpoint to Pacino's character, a character actually written in such a way that the audience, try as it will, cannot hope to see Danny Collins as simpatico. Props to Pacino for pulling this one out of the fire.
And the Review done from the heart...
Not even the astonishing and proved talents of a 75 year old Al Pacino can give life to this dreary tale of a fading musician whose chance encounter with a communication from his past (a letter from John Lennon that was never delivered) spurs him to seek a path of redemption. Keep in mind that Mick Jagger himself is only 71, so for Pacino -- who can't sing a note -- to take on this role was the most astonishing thing in the movie, and it happened before the cameras rolled. Garner and Bening try to raise the energy level but frankly don't have the screen time. When the ultimate body of Pacino's work is catalogued, this will not be at the top the list. In fact, the whole film is such a downer that the reviewer is compelled to note that SAINT VINCENT had a similar theme yet produced a great movie following a similar arc. Forget Danny Collins. Find a copy of Saint Vincent.
The Positive Review
As he has so often done in his career, veteran actor Al Pacino takes this morality tale of a failed musician to heights never before imagined even by the screenwriter, and gives energy to a story which cannot fail to grab the viewer. Pacino's yeoman effort is aided abetted by Jennifer Garner and Annette Bening, both of whom infuse their characters with a spirit of optimism and decency which works well in counterpoint to Pacino's character, a character actually written in such a way that the audience, try as it will, cannot hope to see Danny Collins as simpatico. Props to Pacino for pulling this one out of the fire.
And the Review done from the heart...
Not even the astonishing and proved talents of a 75 year old Al Pacino can give life to this dreary tale of a fading musician whose chance encounter with a communication from his past (a letter from John Lennon that was never delivered) spurs him to seek a path of redemption. Keep in mind that Mick Jagger himself is only 71, so for Pacino -- who can't sing a note -- to take on this role was the most astonishing thing in the movie, and it happened before the cameras rolled. Garner and Bening try to raise the energy level but frankly don't have the screen time. When the ultimate body of Pacino's work is catalogued, this will not be at the top the list. In fact, the whole film is such a downer that the reviewer is compelled to note that SAINT VINCENT had a similar theme yet produced a great movie following a similar arc. Forget Danny Collins. Find a copy of Saint Vincent.