PACINO. Portrays aging rock legend in “Danny Collins.” FILE PHOTO
LOS ANGELES—It’s almost hard to believe it: Al Pacino turns 75 next month, on April 25, to be exact. Shy by nature, the great actor was unusually chatty and good-humored in a recent interview. In his new film, Dan Fogelman’s comedy-drama, “Danny Collins,” Al plays the titular character, an aging rock legend living off his greatest hits who discovers a 40-year-old letter written to him by John Lennon.
The letter motivates the music star to change his life.
At the start of our chat, Al cracked, “Listen, if I ever get the urge to start saying monologues, I will lie down till it passes.”
How many glasses of Scotch did you drink in that one scene?
They had to do the take over and over again.
So, how many?
Well, that was tea.
How many can you drink in real life?
How could I ever remember that? Who was counting? No more.
Perspective
How has the film industry changed, from your perspective?
In the old days, when I would do things like “The Panic in Needle Park” or “Dog Day Afternoon,” they would be considered independent movies today. But, we had studios making them then.
What I see is movement toward marketing. Marketing films becomes an important aspect of how you get a film out. If you’re not in a situation where you have sufficient marketing, your film could just not be seen. That’s the most obvious change in movies. The desire to make movies is still there, but getting them made is different.
What was the most useful advice you got?
Lee Strasberg said something to me when I was younger and when I felt that the world was changing all around me. He said, “Darling, you simply have to adjust.” It does take a while (to adjust), though (laughs).
In this film, moviegoers can experience how it is to be your character whom everybody knows. In your own experience, how tiring is that—going to places and everybody knows who you are?
My kids have a little trouble with it (his popularity) because sometimes it’s tough to go somewhere with them. They know it, and they will even say to me, “Dad, you need to stay home.” I say, “What do you mean?” They say, “It’s OK, dad, do your work.” Because they know—it changes the dynamics when I am out with them sometimes. Sometimes not.
Weirdest encounter
What was the weirdest encounter you had with a fan?
I have weird encounters all the time. A while back, a guy came up to me on the street and said, right to my face, “Are you Al Pacino?” I said, “Yeah.” He said, “Congratulations! You look like you ought to (be Al Pacino).” You should follow me around sometimes—it’s funny.
Do you take more pleasure in this business now than 20 or 30 years ago?
Maybe a little more pleasure, because I’m trying to do things I feel more connected to. I’m going to do a play (David Mamet’s “China Doll” in fall this year) again. I read different plays and books.
I sometimes do seminars. I go off and do a lot of work with full symphony orchestras. I do Shakespeare or poetry.
Of course, I’ve had a lot of ups and downs in life, like we all do. But, my young children have been dictating a lot of what I do. It’s the way it is in the last 15 years. Now, they’re getting older and I’m starting to see where things are going. If I don’t want to do this anymore, then I won’t do it. That’s a good thing to be able to say.
It’s odd because I’m the same person who’s been around for 50-plus years. You keep evolving—and that’s the hope. I am sure I talk differently to you now than I would have 20 years ago. Sometimes, I feel I’m making an excuse as to why I keep doing this—but, as long as there are challenges and I have the opportunity, I will do it!
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