For Ellen

The scenes with Ellen and Joby getting to know one another are tender and heart breaking. I wanted more interactions between Joby and Ellen but the brevity was very powerful. The actress who plays Ellen seemed thoughtfully wise beyond her years. For example she initially want to tell her Dad about Abigail or something very important about her mom that Joby didn't know.

I enjoyed the very deliberate toy store scene with Joby and Ellen where much was unspoken. The silence and slowness contrasted with the fact joby only had a short time left to be with her.

Paul Dano gives a subtle peformance as a somewhat immature young man who hasn't found out what really is important in his life -ie. His wife and daughter. It's amazing to think Paul Dano did this film many years before he had his own children and became a dad himself.

The ending was bittersweet and stayed with me. I liked Ellen playing music for Joby and the promise of her musical talents. A beautiful quiet movie.