Review of For Ellen (2012) by Christopher H — 02 Mar 2013

Paul Dano leads this emotionally taut drama as Joby Taylor, an aspiring musician who returns home to find his ex-wife is looking to gain sole custody of his young daughter. "For Ellen" lives and breathes with Dano's high caliber performance, wonderfully portraying a flawed character that the viewer still finds sympathy for.

His daughter, played by Shaylena Mandigo, is a future star, with the poise and cold hard stares of an adult actress at the staggering age of six years old. Although most of the film is self-pity and denial on Joby's part, the film picks up when he reveals a secret about his ex-wife that leads to visitation rights for a day between Joby and Ellen.

Had the film had more interaction between the two, this could have been a much stronger film, but what we're left with are a few solid scenes and long bit of emotional filler. Why Jon Heder's storyline was in the film, I am uncertain, as it adds very little to the story, if anything.

Seeing Paul Dano act, however, is becoming a gift and any excuse to see him break out on the screen is a welcome distraction.