Danny Collins (2015)
Whoever made the preview for Danny Collins should go back to Disney where he belongs. This movie is not a comedy! This is not a light romance with plenty of fluff and chuckles! This is a heavy, well-acted drama that hits home, and the so-called romance was probably cooked up so the man in the lab could have something to put in the preview.
If you only think of Al Pacino as the gangster who always shouts in his movies, rent this movie and think again. He plays a has-been rock star, and rarely, if ever, have I seen a more realistic portrayal. The general public has a definitive idea of how a “rock star” lives and breathes, so most actors pander to their audience’s perception. Why risk getting criticized when an obvious performance will guarantee a success? Al Pacino had the guts to take on the tired trope, and to do it correctly. His character, while written well, could have been played in the typical fashion: drug use before a performance, boredom while singing the same old song, entitled charm while flirting with someone new, rehearsed ease with the stand-by pal, and escapism while at the nearest bar. Instead, the audience is treated to a new, accurate performance. We see the desperate need for a mood alter before going onstage, because without it, he’s forced to acknowledge his stagnant life. We see shame as he sings the same song he’s been singing for decades, and we feel gratitude during his scenes with Christopher Plummer, since his friend has stuck by him in his uncertain environment. The flirtation with Annette Bening is a necessity, because without bravado, he might feel pathetic. His scenes at the bar aren’t funny filler, but instead reaching out in a last-ditch effort not to be alone. All this is felt by Al Pacino’s performance.
In case you need any other reason to see the movie, it’s Bobby Cannavale. After decades of abandonment, Al reaches out to his son, Bobby, and tries to bond with his family. There are so many layers to Bobby’s performance, you’ll only be able to really appreciate it when you watch the movie for the second time. My hat goes off to screenwriter and director Dan Fogelman, because the film doesn’t follow the expected path. This is a heavy film, so grab more Kleenexes than you think you’ll need.
More Al Pacino movies here!
If you only think of Al Pacino as the gangster who always shouts in his movies, rent this movie and think again. He plays a has-been rock star, and rarely, if ever, have I seen a more realistic portrayal. The general public has a definitive idea of how a “rock star” lives and breathes, so most actors pander to their audience’s perception. Why risk getting criticized when an obvious performance will guarantee a success? Al Pacino had the guts to take on the tired trope, and to do it correctly. His character, while written well, could have been played in the typical fashion: drug use before a performance, boredom while singing the same old song, entitled charm while flirting with someone new, rehearsed ease with the stand-by pal, and escapism while at the nearest bar. Instead, the audience is treated to a new, accurate performance. We see the desperate need for a mood alter before going onstage, because without it, he’s forced to acknowledge his stagnant life. We see shame as he sings the same song he’s been singing for decades, and we feel gratitude during his scenes with Christopher Plummer, since his friend has stuck by him in his uncertain environment. The flirtation with Annette Bening is a necessity, because without bravado, he might feel pathetic. His scenes at the bar aren’t funny filler, but instead reaching out in a last-ditch effort not to be alone. All this is felt by Al Pacino’s performance.
In case you need any other reason to see the movie, it’s Bobby Cannavale. After decades of abandonment, Al reaches out to his son, Bobby, and tries to bond with his family. There are so many layers to Bobby’s performance, you’ll only be able to really appreciate it when you watch the movie for the second time. My hat goes off to screenwriter and director Dan Fogelman, because the film doesn’t follow the expected path. This is a heavy film, so grab more Kleenexes than you think you’ll need.
More Al Pacino movies here!