For Ellen

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For Ellen

2012

1h 33m

Drama

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

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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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.

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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.

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Trevor Johnston

Time Out

Feb 14, 2013

4/5

It's uncomfortably funny, achingly true - and the work of an absolutely genuine artist.

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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.

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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.

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Philip French

Observer (UK)

Feb 17, 2013

Mumblecore stuff with touching, truthful moments ...

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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.

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Stephen C

@bob25009 Jun 30, 2025

Success in 1 hour and 33 minutes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The USA grossed over $7,300.00!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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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.

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Dec 18, 2015

another movie about divorce American style very slow but Dano carries it along.

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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.

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Jul 20, 2015

This is a weak movie

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So-yong Kim

Director

Paul Dano

Joby

Jon Heder

Fred

Jena Malone

Susan

Margarita Levieva

Claire

Shaylena Mandigo

Ellen

Time Out of Mind

80%

42%

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56%

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9%

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Critics Consensus: The Words Doesn’t Know What To Say

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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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