12 Surprisingly Good Movies From 2015 (So Far)

3. Danny Collins

What Everyone Expected: The last decade of Al Pacino's career in particular has been all over the place, coloured by some truly questionable choices (Jack and Jill for one) and a number of watchable but ultimately forgettable, small-scale dramas. Why expect the acting legend to put anymore effort in, even when a role this potentially delicious lands at his feet? What It Was: Proof that Al's still got it, and easily his best performance in years and years as an aging, successful singer looking to reinvigorate his personal and professional lives. It's not the most surprising or unpredictable of movies, but Pacino is a literal force of nature in the title role, oozing charm as well as surrendering the more unsavory aspects of his character. The supporting cast is similarly superb, especially Annette Bening, Christopher Plummer and Bobby Cannavale, who all push Pacino to give a turn that, had it been released later in the year, would surely have wound up in the Oscar conversation. All the same, it's hugely encouraging to see the acting master hurling himself into roles again, and he more than rises to the challenge here.