The story is based on a real life situation in which John Lennon and Yoko Ono wrote a letter in 1971 to the English folk singer Steve Tilston which was unknown to him for 34 years. The real letter was signed “John + Yoko” while the letter in the movie was signed “John”.
Based on a true story. Aging 1970s rocker Danny Collins (Al Pacino) cannot give up his hard-living ways – but then his manager, Frank Grubman (Christopher Plummer), uncovers a 40-year-old undelivered letter to him from John Lennon. After reading the letter, Danny decides to change his way of life. He travels to New Jersey to attempt to connect for the first time with his grown son, Tom Donnelly (Bobby Cannavale) from a casual relationship. Tom has a wife, Samantha (Jennifer Garner) and seven-year old daughter, Hope (Giselle Eisenberg).
Danny checks into a Hilton hotel in New Jersey, much to the delight of the young staff. He begins to woo the hotel manager, Mary (Annette Bening). His son initially rejects the father he believes abandoned him, but Danny persists, getting Hope, who has ADHD, into an exclusive school for children with special needs. He learns Tom has what doctors say may be terminal leukemia, and begins to attend doctor’s visits with him. Tom’s dislike of his father gradually gives way to the need for his support.
A one-night performance briefly draws him back to his drugging, drinking days, which causes a rift between him and Tom, and damages the budding friendship with Mary. Danny wants to give up the rock star lifestyle, but financial issues require that he return to touring. He hopes he can support Tom’s family, no matter the outcome of his cancer treatment.
Danny Collins
Directed by: Dan Fogelman
Starring: Al Pacino, Melissa Benoist, Jennifer Garner, Bobby Cannavale, Christopher Plummer, Josh Peck, Aarti Mann, Annette Bening, Katarina Cas, Anne McDaniels, Mikaela Tallett
Screenplay by: Dan Fogelman
Production Design by: Dan Bishop
Cinematography by: Steve Yedlin
Film Editing by: Julie Monroe
art Direction by: Christopher Brown
Music by: Ryan Adams, Theodore Shapiro
MPAA Rating: R for language, drug use and some nudity.
Studio: Universal Pictures
Release Date: March 6, 2015
Visits: 97
