I really liked this one. It wasn't what I thought it was going to be, well truthfully I didn't know much about it going in but I wasn't expecting a charming family story. Al Pacino is very likable as an aging rock star who discovers a 40 year old undelivered letter written to him by John Lennon. This inspires him to give up his hard living ways and reconnect with his estranged son. Apparently inspired by a real story about a folk singer (they may have taken some liberties here) as Al appears more like a lounge singer, throughout I got a kinda Neil Diamond vibe from him, his one hit song that he's sick of but keeps having to sing sounded a lot like Sweet Caroline... dun dun da. Anyways a very sweet movie, watching 'Danny" try to change his ways and charm his way into his sons life. Great cast, cute romance with Annette Bening as his hotel concerige /girlfriend, the fabulous Christopher Plummer as his frustrated manger and Bobby Cannavale as the estranged son.The precocious little girl (granddaughter) was a scene stealer.

Nicholson plays Danny Collins, a talentless, ageing folk Singer who got written a note by Lennon back in '71, only to read it 4 and half decades later. The note changes his spirit and subsequently Danny goes looking for his estranged son and befriends a desk clerk in some motel.Those must be violins, I'm hearing?The acting chops of Nicholson and Hunt notwithstanding, the movie is a complete disaster. Not only is the maudlin story and impotent scenario offensive to the point of where's-my-forty-five, what in the nine hells is Pacino doing being cast in the title role? Murray, Malkovitch, maybe even Tommy Lee could have done a more believable rendition of a corpsing rock star. Pacino can't sing? Hello? Think mcFly, Think..Utter rubbish, 24 karat schmaltz..

Released in 2015, "Danny Collins" is based on a true story, that of singer Steve Tiltson. It stars Al Pacino, Annette Benning, Christopher Plummer, Bobby Carnevale, and Jennifer Garner.Pacino is, who else, Danny Collins, a world-famous singer. It appears from the opening interview in 1971 that Danny intended to be a Bob Dylan or the evolved John Lennon, who is his idol. Yet when we see Danny perform 40 years later, looking like a lounge lizard, his big song is something called "Baby Doll." So it appears along the way that Danny made some different choices which are a reflection of an empty life.Danny's life is one filled with indulgence - alcohol, coke, a trophy wife sleeping with somebody else, a plane, etc., yet he seems miserable. Well one can get a little tired of all these people with money being unhappy. But then you read about the lives some of them with multiple divorces, drug addiction, kids who hate them, affairs, rehab - and it doesn't seem to mean much.That's Danny. But then his manager (Plummer) gives him a letter that was sent to Danny 40 years earlier. Lennon sent it to the writer who interviewed Danny for a magazine. Instead of delivering it, he held onto it and ultimately sold it to a collector. His manager saw it for sale and purchased it.The letter knocks Danny for a loop. John Lennon tells him to be true to himself, that money and fame can't corrupt him - "only you can do that." Danny moves into a hotel with the intention of going back to his songwriting. He meets a woman, Mary (Annette Benning) who is friendly but turns down all his dinner invitations. He then tries to get to know his son, whom he's never met. His son hates just the thought of him, so it is no surprise that he's rejected. But Danny doesn't give up. Though this movie is slightly predictable, its sentimentality is deftly handled by the writer/director, Dan Fogelman. And Al Pacino's performance is brilliant - he's not yelling, for one thing. His acting is subtle, and he gives the viewer a fully fleshed-out character of a man trying to change and wondering if it might be too late. The actor is an odd choice for the role, but he makes it work. Annette Benning is wonderful as Mary, who hears part of his new song and realizes he needs encouragement. Christopher Plummer as usual is fantastic. He could have hammed up the role of manager, but falling into something stereotypical is something only an amateur would do. Instead, he's sincere, caring, and very direct.Stage and screen actor Bobby Carnevale plays Danny's son, who is filled with unexpressed anger and worry. Carnevale has a wide range, from Will's boyfriend on Will and Grace to a disgustingly cruel character on "Boardwalk Empire" - here's a dad with a lot on his mind - and the last thing he needs is a father he doesn't know. Jennifer Garner plays his wife, and she's lovely.Beautiful story with a great ending. So glad I watched it. It was well worth it.

When I started watching this movie I thought it was some stupid, low budget movie. I was mistaken. It first portrays how (shown in many movies) superstars land up at some point in their career, with drugs and alcohol. Al Pachino played a good role in this movie and I think it's worth being one of his best.When Danny Collins gets this surprising letter from John Lennon he decides to finally come out of his drug stage and, in a way, start fresh. First by mending - actually creating a bond with his son that he has never met before who has his own family and hates his guts. There the story of this movie builds! I took the time to pay attention to this movie and I enjoyed it but I don't think all will because it was a bit long and it dragged out. None the less it was brilliant, good acting, good actors (and actresses) along with a humorous side to the movie. A well deserved 8!