The Movie DANNY COLLINS stars Al Pacino, All You Need

What do you call a D+ script with A+ stars?  The producers of "Danny Collins" pulled an ace out of their sleeves having convinced Al Pacino to star in this mawkish script.  Al Pacino plays Danny, a singer/song writer from the 80's who lives royally off his royalties & his loyal old fans.  Pacino is supported by a bonafide cast of actors whose talents help raise this hokey scenario to heartfelt, enjoyable entertainment.  Bobby Conavale plays Tom, Danny's son from a 1 night stand back in his hey day, performing & then performing with groupies while strung out on booze & drugs.  Now, at a seminal moment in his life & waning career, Danny has an Oprah epiphany as to what really matters (need I say family?)  Danny wants redemption via a  reconcilliation with the son he never met.  Jennifer Garner is Tom's wife, Sam "the best daughter-in-law you could have had." That's tellings him.  Tom & Sam have an adorable, precocious 7 yr. old, Grace & are expecting a son.  Christopher Plummer is cast as Frank, Danny's long-time mgr. & best friend who warned him early on of the onslaught of fame, fortune & females.  Danny jets off in a pvt. plane to NJ leaving his young adultrous fiancee (wife #4) to be near his estranged son.  Mary (Annette Bening) is the mgr. of the Hilton where Danny stays & who he preys on, relentlessly.  The predictable plodding plot:  Danny comes bearing gifts & bearing his soul.  Danny says Hello & Tom says Good-bye.  Just give me 1 day & then I'll be on my way, pleads Danny.  You say why when given a dimwit script you can end up with a marvelous movie. And, I say I hello, with A+ actors, led by Al Pacino, combined with John Lennon's beautiful, beautiful, beautiful music, magic happen.