For Ellen is a drama about an aspiring rock star who has to choose between his dream of rock stardom and being a presence in his daughter’s life. He picks heroin. Just kidding.

The main character’s name in For Ellen is not Ellen, that’s the kid. Actually it’s Joby Taylor. He’s worked hard for years to become a rock star, and he’s come close, but now he might be closer than ever. He needs to finalize his divorce though. He’ll get money out of a home after signing the papers, so he does only to discover that by signing the papers he’s also giving away custody of his daughter, essentially taking himself out of her life unless the mother allows him in.

Joby has a whole lot of bad going on in his life and not much good. Bad girlfriend. Destructive job. But his daughter might be the one good thing. What can he do? Give up his dream? Or his daughter?

For Ellen

For Ellen comes from writer/director So Yong Kim. Does anyone imagine that’s a cool name for a punk band? Cause it sounds like “So long, Kim.” And punk bands misspell things. Kim has made a few other small films, but nothing of real note, at least in terms of me having heard of it. Oh well.

For Ellen Trailer

For Ellen Release Date

September 5, 2012.

Pictures

Who’s In It?

 Paul Dano … Joby Taylor
  Jon Heder … Fred Butler
  Shaylena Mandigo … Ellen Taylor
  Jena Malone … Susan
  Margarita Levieva … Claire Taylor
  Dakota Johnson … Cindy
  Alex Mauriello … Lisa

What’s Good About It?

I like Paul Dano, and the story has promise. The trailer for For Ellen also looks like it has a degree of heart. So far, so good.

What’s Bad About It?

For Ellen is a very small budget and small scope film. I don’t think it’ll be a big hit.

Our Clever Prediction

Unless Paul Dano turns out an insane performance, which is not an unrealistic possibility, For Ellen will probably not do terribly well.

Or it’ll make more money that Avatar. How cool would that be?

Answer: very cool.