Danny Collins Review
RYAN: This is a truly special movie. It’s a dramedy that will make your beam at the screen, break out with laughter and also well up with tears. There’s joy, there’s sadness – there’s so much life in this movie – I just loved it. It will be a challenge to knock it off my Top 10 list of the year.
CAROLINE: Wow, ok. That’s really great.
RYAN: It’s already in the vein of the movies from last year like St. Vincent or Chef.
CAROLINE: Yeah I never heard a bad thing about those films. This one is directed by Dan Fogelman. It’s his directorial debut.
RYAN: Yes but he also wrote this and he’s previously written the screenplay for Disney’s Tangled, Cars 1 and 2; but also Crazy, Stupid Love, The Guilt Trip and Last Vegas.
CAROLINE: Impressive screenwriting credits, for sure.
RYAN: This script is gold. It’s, like, a perfect script and then the casting is brilliant.
CAROLINE: You’re not always the biggest Pacino fan.
RYAN: True but this is hands down my favorite of his roles. He’s outstanding in it. And his banter with Annette Bening is priceless. And she looks great – I always think of her as such an elegant person but they did a brilliant job transforming her into a hotel manager. It’s just amazing.
CAROLINE: How’s Jenny Garner?
RYAN: Also one of her best roles – the emotion she conveys is incredible. She plays it so well and it’s very complex. Bobby Cannavale is also terrific and then there’s Christopher Plummer.
CAROLINE: Captain Von Trapp.
RYAN: Yes. He has some shining moments too.
CAROLINE: Is it a musical?
RYAN: No but music is key and really helps further the story emotionally. There’s one performance scene early on, though, where Pacino does a horrible job holding the mic. I can’t believe they didn’t tell him to pretend like he’s singing into the mic.
CAROLINE: (laughs) That’s so awkward.
RYAN: Beyond. But they totally CGI’d an actor to look like young Pacino and the effect is insanely cool. It’s such a great ensemble cast – I could seem them being up for the SAG Award.
CAROLINE: Is this based on anyone?
RYAN: The film opens saying it’s “kind of based on a true story a little bit.”
CAROLINE: Ha. Nice.
RYAN: The scene where Al & Annette meet the first time is priceless. I could watch it on repeat. There’s also a little girl in this who is very good and couldn’t be cuter.
CAROLINE: I have to see this movie.
RYAN: It’s heavy and light and everything in between. I just loved it and am sure you will too!
