Mr. Collins' zweiter Frühling (2015)

Mr. Collins’ zweiter Frühling: Directed by Dan Fogelman. With Al Pacino, Annette Bening, Jennifer Garner, Bobby Cannavale. An aging rock star decides to change his life when he discovers a 40-year-old letter written to him by John Lennon.

“u0026quot;Danny Collinsu0026quot; is the kind of film ripe for emotional manipulation and mawkishness, so much so that its potential to squander its wealth of talent makes one clench in their seat, hoping for a different result than the one they foresee. While there is definitely sentimentality to be found in the film, such scenes are handled with pleasant restraint from writer/director Dan Fogelman (writer of u0026quot;Tangledu0026quot; and both u0026quot;Carsu0026quot; films). u0026quot;Danny Collinsu0026quot; is likely one of the few commendable adult dramas we will get this year, and itu0026#39;s nice to see that itu0026#39;s a particularly winning blend of restriction and talent.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eThe film concerns the title character (played by Al Pacino in his best, most subtle role in years), an aging, alcoholic, cocaine-addicted singer, disillusioned with his current state of faking it through sold out performances, playing the same old tired songs (his most famous song echoes the tune of u0026quot;Sweet Carolineu0026quot;) he has since he began his career in the 1970u0026#39;s. One day, he decides to drop everything, cancelling the remainder of his tour in order to venture out to stay indefinitely at a Hilton hotel and work on his songwriting, something he hasnu0026#39;t done in several decades, much to the dismay of his long suffering manager Frank Grubman (Christopher Plummer). While staying at the Hilton, Danny tries to make right with his son Tom (Bobby Cannavale), who has gone on to marry a beautiful woman (Jennifer Garner) and lead a solid life without the help of his father, whom views him as a deadbeat, as well as win the heart of the stubborn hotel manager Mary Sinclair (Annette Bening), who shoots down every dinner request he makes.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eAll of this angst and disillusionment arises when Danny receives a long-lost letter from John Lennon, following an interview at a magazine where Danny references Lennon as a major influence. In the letter, Lennon tells him to be true to himself and states that the money and fame donu0026#39;t corrupt a person, but personal choices and vices will always be the downfall of a man. With this, Danny becomes rather tumultuous and realizes heu0026#39;s been stuck in a dead-end, creative funk for years, unable to produce a winning record or anything of noteworthiness for years. He uses this opportunity to take a vacation and hopefully find creative inspiration and connectivity amongst those he shouldu0026#39;ve been in contact with for many years.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003ePacino is always the centerpiece of u0026quot;Danny Collins,u0026quot; in nearly every shot of the film and always bearing some kind of discernible energy, whether it be boisterous or subtle. This is Pacinou0026#39;s most accomplished role in years, as he finds ways to create his own character and infuse him with just the right amount of life for the occasion. He is never overcome with theatrics, and plays everything in a genuine, low-key manner, something we havenu0026#39;t seen from Pacino in quite some time. His portrait of an aging alcoholic musician who realizes he hasnu0026#39;t done anything creative or for himself in years (perhaps thereu0026#39;s some loose, real-life connection there, but thatu0026#39;s all speculation, of course) isnu0026#39;t played in a manner where overacting prevails emotion and thatu0026#39;s the key to a great deal of u0026quot;Danny Collinsu0026quot;u0026#39; success.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eThe supporting characters in u0026quot;Danny Collinsu0026quot; all transcend the lines of typical supporting characters, as they branch out to become their own character and are brought to life thanks to a collection of great talent. Among the best of the lot is Christopher Plummer, who serves as Dannyu0026#39;s best friend in the film as well as his financial and managerial guide. Plummer is just as wry here as heu0026#39;s ever been, never missing a comedic or dramatic beat, and turns up just in time to save the film from becoming too sappy or too dramatic. Bobby Cannavale also does arguably some of his finest work as Dannyu0026#39;s understandably livid son, who has been left in the dark and in the working class region of the world while his father adores all the fame of show business, so he thinks, and leaves all other responsibilities unattended. Cannavale, like Pacino, acts within his own restraints of showing anger but not being overly dramatic about the entire affair, never breaking out in a fight with his father nor letting loose a monologue of vulgarities. Almost every conversation held between them conducts itself with a pleasant sense of situational realism.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eu0026quot;Danny Collinsu0026quot; is a surprising little film, and given how its small theatrical release is being expanded little by little, I have a feeling it will resonate with the baby boomer crowd as time goes on, giving them a little opportunity for cinematic enrichment as theyu0026#39;re often forgotten. If thatu0026#39;s the case, this is fine film to see, especially if youu0026#39;re only planning on seeing one, maybe two, films this year.”