(2012) dir So Yong Kim w/Paul Dano, Saylena Mandingo, Jon Heder [94 min] A tour-de-force performance by Paul Dano (THERE WILL BE BLOOD, Ruby Sparks) as an aspiring rocker at a turning point anchors this quiet, moving film. Director So Yong Kim (Treeless Mountain) puts Dano at the unequivocal center of the film as Joby, a musician on the verge of either breaking big or completely washing out – the open possibility of either outcome provides much of the tension in the story. Joby is in the midst of a divorce from a woman with whom he has a daughter, Ellen, that he has never met. We meet him as he is en route to a wintery, rural town to sign the papers. Joby insists on meeting his daughter before finalizing the divorce but the law, the mother, and his own bad attitude stand in his way. A fascinating character study of a man on the edge that never slips into melodrama or tragedy but balances gently in a naturalist mode.
“Paul Dano’s best performance yet… Kim’s delicate feature takes the conventional deadbeat dad formula and rejuvenates it by letting Dano’s naturalistic performance lead the way.” –Eric Kohn, Indiewire
For Ellen
Area Theatrical Premiere September 21–23
Buy Tickets Brattle Passes Accepted
(2012) dir So Yong Kim w/Paul Dano, Saylena Mandingo, Jon Heder [94 min]
A tour-de-force performance by Paul Dano (THERE WILL BE BLOOD, Ruby Sparks) as an aspiring rocker at a turning point anchors this quiet, moving film. Director So Yong Kim (Treeless Mountain) puts Dano at the unequivocal center of the film as Joby, a musician on the verge of either breaking big or completely washing out – the open possibility of either outcome provides much of the tension in the story. Joby is in the midst of a divorce from a woman with whom he has a daughter, Ellen, that he has never met. We meet him as he is en route to a wintery, rural town to sign the papers. Joby insists on meeting his daughter before finalizing the divorce but the law, the mother, and his own bad attitude stand in his way. A fascinating character study of a man on the edge that never slips into melodrama or tragedy but balances gently in a naturalist mode.