For Ellen

A struggling musician, Joby, faces the daunting reality of divorce and the difficult process of legalizing his separation from his wife, Claire. As he navigates the complexities of dividing their assets and finalizing the divorce, Joby is forced to confront his own emotional immaturity and his estranged relationship with his young daughter, Daisy. The film chronicles his journey of self-discovery and his attempts to reconnect with his child amidst the ruins of his marriage.

For Ellen received generally positive reviews from critics, who praised Paul Dano's performance and the film's understated, emotional depth. While some found its pacing slow, many commended its raw portrayal of familial struggles and existential angst.

• Paul Dano delivers a powerful, internalized performance as a man grappling with responsibility.
• The film's quiet intensity and raw emotional honesty resonate deeply.
• Its deliberate pace and minimalist style might alienate some, but reward patient viewers.

Google audience: Audience reviews highlight the compelling performance by Paul Dano and the film's realistic depiction of a man struggling with his personal life and parental duties. Some viewers found the narrative to be emotionally impactful, while others wished for a more engaging plot.

Screened at the Sundance Film Festival, where it competed for the Grand Jury Prize.

Director So Yong Kim intentionally kept the dialogue sparse to emphasize the characters' internal struggles and unspoken emotions, allowing the performances and visual storytelling to carry the narrative.