For Ellen

Independent film of failing heavy-metal rock singer trying to bond with six-year old daughter- but it moves way too slow.
This 2011 film - now making it's DVD release was an "official selection" for the 2012 Sundance Film Festival. Reading the synopsis it sounded like an interesting film with an interesting premise - failing heavy-metal rock star returns home to try to try to rec0oncile with his estranged wife and their six-year old daughter (the Ellen in the film's title). It started out slow and I kept waiting for Ellen to appear (after all, she is shown on the cover of the package). 54 minutes into this 95 minute film and we finally see her. Until then it's all about Joby( Paul Dano). When Ellen appears I hoped the film would pick up some steam. I wasn't looking for excitement, just a story with a thread. But direct So Young Kim creates scenes that seem to go on twice as long as they should. And nearly 3 minutes is spent with Dano performing a heavy metal song, singing along to a juke box, which takes a quite film and breaks the mood. The few scenes (way too few) between Dano and Ellen ( Shaylena...

An Arthouse Mood Piece: A Quiet Contemplation Of Familial Estrangement
"For Ellen" is one of those tiny indie films where not much happens and just about everything of import is occurring silently within the main character's psyche. As such, it may not appeal to all audiences. Long stretches of the picture are without dialogue as the camera gets up close to its subject and just sort of lingers there. I like an introspective character piece as much as the next person, but let's be honest. Some of these pictures can be downright dull. Something has to connect on an emotional level, some sort of identification, in order to get much meaning from these narrative studies. And as "For Ellen" began, I was only mildly hopeful that I would get much satisfaction from the film. Unexpectedly, though, the picture did work for me largely due to a change of pace role by Paul Dano.

Dano plays a estranged father and husband traveling to meet his wife to finalize a divorce agreement. A musician on the road, he journeys overnight to make the meeting...

A special movie for special people
I've enjoyed this movie from beginning to end but it may not be for everyone. It is slow paced with a peaceful and pleasant landscape contrasting with its main character, a troubled rock musician that comes to par with some of his past mistakes. What I've enjoyed about this film is how information is conveyed: it silently provides us with tools to place ourselves in the situation at hand which allows for a totally different, individualistic take, based on who we are and what life experiences we've had. I was able to relate to the story in itself based on episodes in my own life that although different in content, are charged with similar emotional upheaval. The movie caught my attention right from the very first few minutes.

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