Review of Danny Collins (2015) by Dawdlingpoet — 28 Nov 2021

This is a music based comedy/drama and it features themes including reconciliation, inspiration and songwriting. I didn't feel this was as good a music related drama as one I watched somewhat recently, called 'Crazy Heart', which I also reviewed. This film very much seemed to have a main character who was trying to get sympathy, who tries to be cool, calm and although he is somewhat jaded, he clearly still thinks well of himself, to a slightly annoying extent. The way he tries to flirt with women I felt to be a bit cringey and off putting but then maybe thats a personal thing? I don't know. It is amusing at times but it isn't what I'd regard a 'laugh out loud' comedy film - its more a fairly light rom/com or romantic drama maybe. To me, almost all 'rom com's I've seen aren't laugh out loud funny but light and amusing, much as this was for the most part. The plot didn't seem especially original to me.

I should perhaps add that there are some less light and more serious parts within the plot but I felt the script was a little too shallow overall, as far as characterisation is concerned. There is a fair amount of male moping going on, which I didn't find especially engrossing or entertaining. The music played in the background is pretty mope-y in tone too, quiet piano tunes that sounded a bit like 'poor, poor me - what am I a doing-of'. Danny is shown singing one or two of these tunes.

Cast wise, the film features Al Pacino, who plays the titular character, Danny Collins. He does alright in the role but obviously he's not especially known for playing such roles and would rather watch him in a crime/action film personally. I didn't really feel sorry for him, as another character said to him, he's to blame for the situation he's in, for indulging in too many excesses. Other cast members include Annette Bening, who plays Mary Sinclair and Jennifer Garner, who plays Samantha Leigh Donnelly, while Melissa Benoist plays Jamie and a young Giselle Eisenberg plays Hope Donnelly. If anyone steals the show, I'd say it was Giselle as Hope, Samantha's young daughter who is bright and happy and rather hyperactive, much to other peoples frustrations at times.

Content wise, the film contains nudity (full frontal nudity in one instance), strong language and there are scenes depicting drug use (snorting cocaine). There is no real violence present and it isn't scary or otherwise disturbing. Due to this content, the film has been given a 15 rating.

Maybe im being a little harsh? I suppose there surprisingly serious undertones to it towards the end, with the themes changing a bit but I don't want to give any spoilers, so I won't elaborate on that. It just didn't feel very memorable to me and I feel this sort of plot has been written and filmed many times before, in better films (thats my honest opinion - take it or leave it). Also, I felt that the ending left some questions unanswered, which can frustrate a lot of people.

I wouldn't specifically recommend this film as such. Its alright but it felt a little too fake to me - not entirely original and with not brilliant characterisation. I certainly didn't feel particularly sorry for Danny, who the film is all about. It features a good cast and there are some amusing moments but not much else really. It goes from being quite light to be surprisingly serious but it didn't really appeal to me and I doubt I'd feel compelled to watch it again, so I wouldn't recommend it, no.