Danny Collins

An aging pop superstar (Al Pacino) finally receives a letter written to him by John Lennon 40 years ago, when he was just starting out; the letter plunges him into soul searching, and the first thing he decides to do is look up the biological son he's never met (Bobby Cannavale). Based “a little bit” (but really, hardly at all) on a true story, writer-director Dan Fogelman's movie bulges with talent; besides Pacino and Cannavale, there are Christopher Plummer as Pacino's avuncular manager, Jennifer Garner as Cannavale's wistful wife, and Annette Bening as the bemused manager of a modest New Jersey hotel where Pacino checks in. Pacino sinks his gleaming teeth into his role with a relish that's infectious and charming, and the charm spreads and coats the whole movie like butter over hot pancakes. J.L.