Danny Collins

Al Pacino has been seeking a lot of redemption lately, from the over-the-hill actor he recently played in Barry Levinson’s The Humbling to the aging locksmith he portrays in the upcoming David Gordon Green drama Manglehorn.

His latest attempt to reconcile with past demons comes in Danny Collins, in which Pacino plays a fledgling rock star haunted by his lifelong neglect for his family.

The story is loosely based on the life of British folk singer Steve Tilston, who is best known for a personal letter of encouragement penned to him by John Lennon in 1971 that was intercepted by a collector and not delivered to him until more than 30 years later.

In the film, Collins is the belated recipient of a similar note, which arrives at a point when the one-hit wonder is hitting an emotional nadir while touring and drowning in drugs, alcohol, and younger women. But Lennon’s words prompt him to start over, and he quits his lucrative tour against the wishes of his longtime manager (Christopher Plummer).

Collins winds up at a Hilton in New Jersey, where he flirts with the hotel manager (Annette Bening), who inspires him to write some new songs. The real reason for his visit, however, is a heartfelt effort to barge into the suburban life of his skeptical adult son (Bobby Cannavale) and his more forgiving wife (Jennifer Garner) — who are struggling with finances and dealing with a hyperactive young daughter (Giselle Eisenberg) — even if it means compromising his own fame and fortune.

The film bogs down in its contrived narrative framework about a journey of self-discovery, but succeeds more on a character level. Much of the credit goes to the talented ensemble.

It’s certainly a showcase for Pacino, who balances strength and vulnerability in Collins, a washed-up performer whose neuroses and vices have taken their toll.

The perceptive screenplay by rookie director Dan Fogelman (whose writing credits include Crazy, Stupid, Love) finds a bittersweet poignancy amid its rock-star clichés, even if some of the melodrama feels muddled and predictable.

Yet there’s also a nostalgic appeal to the question of whether the celebrity spotlight is a blessing or a curse, especially when it’s tied to a single song that you’ve played thousands of times for more than three decades? You won’t find more than a half-hearted answer here.

Rated R, 106 minutes.