Plot: What’s it about?
In Danny Collins Al Pacino plays an aging musician who has a devoted fan base and has had several hit records. His manager ( Christopher Plummer) presents him with a letter one day that he says is from none other than John Lennon. The letter praises Collins and speaks of Lennon wanting to meet him. This letter prompts him to look at his life in a different light. One of the changes he wants to make is fixing the relationship with his estranged son, Tom (Bobby Cannavale). There’s also a new love in Danny’s life after he meets a hotel manager played by Annette Benning. There are various other characters throughout the film and who’ve all played a role in some way in Danny’s life. It isn’t hard to see the central theme running throughout the film: money isn’t everything. The message isn’t heavy handed, but it’s easy to see that’s what they were going for.
Pacino has made some curious choices lately, but he returns to form here. The guy doesn’t have to work another day in his life, so he clearly loves what he does, but some of his recent films have been pure duds. It would be easy to nitpick this film as it’s predictable and isn’t particularly original, but I was willing to go with it and enjoy the ride. The film has its heart in the right place, and it so well acted and directed that flaws were forgivable. This is one of those films that doesn’t come around a lot any more. All the actors are at the top of their game and I cared about the characters here. It’s a nice tale of redemption and one man wanting to mend his life before it gets too late.
Video: How’s it look?
It would be easy to assume that pretty much every new to Blu-ray film from a major studio will look nearly perfect, sporting a glossy look and feel that looks so clear it’s like you’re viewing the film through a window. And that’s a good assumption too, because, well that’s about the best way to describe the way that Danny Collins looks. The 2.40:1 AVC HD image contains everything that makes new releases such a joy to watch. Immaculate detail? Check. A color palette that spans the entire spectrum? Check. True to life flesh tones and black levels so rich and deep you feel you’re there? Yep. It’s not perfect, mind you, a few of the scenes felt a bit flat and I saw a bit more grain in a few of the exterior shots than I’d have cared for, but all in all it’s a great effort.
Audio: How’s it sound?
The film is music-centric, though there’s a surprising lack of music in the film. And it’s certainly not a “musical” by any stretch of the imagination. That said, the DTS HD Master Audio soundtrack plays effortlessly well from beginning to end. Vocals are rich and crisp, Pacino’s notoriously gravely voice echoes through the channel like he’s right in front of you. Surrounds play a rather effective role in a few sequences and the front stage handles the rest with the greatest of ease. It’s a nice, robust mix that’s sure to please.
Supplements: What are the extras?
- Behind the Scenes of Danny Collins – An all too familiar behind the scenes piece with some interviews with the cast and crew as well as some behind the scenes footage.
- Danny Collins: Album Covers Through the Years – As the name entails, some fictitious album covers from Danny Collins.
- DVD/Digital HD Copy
The Bottom Line
I wasn’t expecting much, but Danny Collins offered a very rewarding experience. The film might be familiar, but the execution is well rendered. All the performances are excellent with Pacino leading the pack. The film comes highly recommended.
