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For Ellen

Play trailer Poster for For Ellen 2012 1h 33m Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
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67% Tomatometer 36 Reviews 39% Popcornmeter 1,000+ Ratings
A struggling musician (Paul Dano) tries to pull himself together and fight for shared custody of his young daughter (Shaylena Mandigo).
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For Ellen

Critics Reviews

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Tara Brady Irish Times Feb 15, 2013
3/5
It's almost as though we're working toward an inverted, non-humorous riposte to John Goodman's line in The Big Lebowski: Say what you like about nihilism, at least it's an ethos. Go to Full Review Andrew Pulver Guardian Feb 14, 2013
4/5
Paul Dano makes So Yong Kim's story of a deadbeat rocker with marriage problems his own. Go to Full Review Trevor Johnston Time Out Feb 14, 2013
4/5
It's uncomfortably funny, achingly true - and the work of an absolutely genuine artist. Go to Full Review Ben Nicholson CineVue Feb 9, 2019
3/5
A poignant and honest look at a difficult situation, anchored by a stand-out performance from Dano. Go to Full Review Jason Best Movie Talk Feb 23, 2013
This low-key but shrewdly observed US indie movie from Korean-American writer-director So Yong Kim pointedly opens with a man at a crossroads, unsure of which direction to take. Decision made, he soon afterwards skids into a snowdrift. Go to Full Review Philip French Observer (UK) Feb 17, 2013
Mumblecore stuff with touching, truthful moments ... Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Alexander Y @RT96509220 Nov 23, 2025 Joby Taylor is insanely hot..#1 Dilf Great movie, I cried watching it because my father didn't care for me. See more Stephen C @bob25009 Jun 30, 2025 Success in 1 hour and 33 minutes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The USA grossed over $7,300.00!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! See more isla s @RT89656869 Sep 3, 2022 Paul Dano is good as the unsure, somewhat out of his confort zone dad. I was also very impressed with the girl who played Ellen, Shaylena Mandigo. It's a sad and thoughtful film about someone lacking self assurance, looking to create a new identity. See more Dec 18, 2015 another movie about divorce American style very slow but Dano carries it along. See more Oct 3, 2015 Touching yet sad story of a dad trying to do right by his daughter. The film draws alot from Just pure emotion. You have to pay attention as there is not much dialogue. See more Jul 20, 2015 This is a weak movie See more Read all reviews
For Ellen

My Rating

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Cast & Crew

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So-yong Kim

Director

Paul Dano

Joby

Jon Heder

Fred

Jena Malone

Susan

Margarita Levieva

Claire

Shaylena Mandigo

Ellen

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For Ellen

For Ellen (2012) For Ellen (2012) For Ellen (2012) Paul Dano as Joby Taylor in "For Ellen." View more photos

Movie Info

Synopsis A struggling musician (Paul Dano) tries to pull himself together and fight for shared custody of his young daughter (Shaylena Mandigo).
Director
So-yong Kim
Producer
So-yong Kim, Bradley Rust Gray, Jen Gatien
Screenwriter
So-yong Kim
Distributor
Tribeca Film
Production Co
Deerjen Films
Genre
Drama
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Sep 5, 2012, Limited
Release Date (Streaming)
Aug 19, 2013
Box Office (Gross USA)
$7.3K
Runtime
1h 33m
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