For Ellen

A struggling musician, Joby, is facing a difficult divorce and custody battle over his young daughter, Ellen. He must travel to reconcile his life and confront his paternal responsibilities before his wife moves away with Ellen. The film explores themes of regret, responsibility, and the complexities of fatherhood amidst personal turmoil.

For Ellen received generally positive reviews from critics, who praised Paul Dano's performance and the film's understated emotional depth. Some critics found the pacing slow, but many appreciated its raw and honest portrayal of a flawed individual grappling with significant life changes.

• Praised for Paul Dano's compelling and nuanced performance.
• Appreciated for its sensitive and realistic portrayal of a difficult divorce and fatherhood.
• Some found the deliberate pacing to be a drawback.

Google audience: Audience reviews generally highlight the film's emotional impact and Paul Dano's strong performance, with many resonating with the raw depiction of marital breakdown and parental struggles. A common sentiment is that the film is quietly powerful, though some viewers found it emotionally taxing.

Nominated for the Grand Jury Prize at the Sundance Film Festival (2012), though the release year provided is 2016 which might indicate a later limited release or re-evaluation. Paul Dano received nominations for best actor from various independent film critics' circles.

Although the film premiered at Sundance in 2012, its wider release was significantly delayed, leading to some confusion about its official release year. The initial script was developed through the Sundance Screenwriters Lab.