Cast: Al Pacino, Christopher Plummer, Jennifer Garner, Robert Cannavale, Annette Bening,

Written and Directed By; Dan Fogelman

If you absolutely love Al Pacino, here’s one of his hot shot movies you just cannot miss out. The great actor has played a galaxy of roles a young man in the God Father to now an aging rock star. Who else could pull that off, except Pacino with flair and charm?

Inspired by a true story, Al Pacino stars as aging 1970s rocker Danny Collins. In the opening scene, we see Danny Collins being interviewed in 1971 for a magazine, on the verge of his big breakthrough. Fast forward to 12^th July, 2014, when Danny performs at a sold-out Greek Theater and on his return home is given a surprise birthday bash in his mansion. After the party, Danny's manager (Christopher Plummer) has a birthday gift: a letter John Lennon wrote to him after reading that 1971 interview, a letter which never arrived. In the letter, Lennon urges him to "stay true to yourself and to your music". Initially Danny does not take it seriously but soon has a change of heart and decides to put all the pieces of his life together.

He flies out to New Jersey and checks into a Hilton room, the next day heading out to visit his grown-up son whom he's never met. Tom Donnelly (Bobby Cannavale) married to Samantha (Jennifer Garner) is not interested in speaking to his father who abandoned him when he was young. He wants nothing to do with him. Danny is saddened by his son’s behavior and is determined to make headway with him. He is out of the partying scene; he's writing music again instead of trying to sing someone else's tunes. Tom’s daughter, the adorable Hope (Giselle Eisenberg), is a firebomb and speaks her mind out. Does Danny manage to patch up with Tom or go back disheartened?

Danny has a large heart and when not with his son, his antics at the hotel are a pleasure to watch. Over 7 Lennon songs fill this film up.

Rating: ***

Reviewed by Verus Ferreira