FOR ELLEN

BY CHRISTOPHER HASKELL
FEBRUARY 27, 2013

Paul Dano leads this emotionally taut drama. He plays Joby Taylor, an aspiring musician returning home to find his ex-wife 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 for whom the viewer still feels sympathy. 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. 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—instead, a few solid scenes and a long bit of emotional filler are what is left. I am uncertain why Jon Heder’s storyline was in the film, as it adds very little to the story. Seeing Paul Dano act is becoming a gift; any excuse to see him break out on the screen is a welcome distraction.