Paul Dano, the star of “There Will Be Blood,” has recently expressed gratitude for the support he received from fellow artists following critical comments made by filmmaker Quentin Tarantino. After Tarantino labeled Dano as the “big, giant flaw” in the Oscar-winning film during an appearance on Bret Easton Ellis’ podcast, Dano’s peers, including Daniel Day-Lewis and Ben Stiller, quickly rallied to his defense.
In his remarks at the Sundance Film Festival, where he participated in a 20th anniversary screening of “Little Miss Sunshine,” Dano acknowledged the outpouring of support he received, describing it as “really nice.” During the controversial podcast, Tarantino ranked Paul Thomas Anderson’s “There Will Be Blood” fifth on his list of the top ten films of the 21st century but took issue with Dano’s performance, suggesting that actor Austin Butler would have been a better choice for the role of Eli Sunday, the fiery preacher that Dano portrayed.
Dano, who has starred in other notable projects, including Spielberg’s “The Fabelmans” and Bong Joon Ho’s “Okja,” was praised by several collaborators for his talents. Stiller, who served as executive producer on “Escape at Dannemora,” called Dano “brilliant,” while Reese Witherspoon hailed him as an “incredibly gifted, versatile actor.” Toni Collette, Dano’s co-star in “Little Miss Sunshine,” also dismissed Tarantino’s comments, speculating that Tarantino must have been under some influence.
Dano also expressed his appreciation for the vocal defense from his peers, stating, “I was also incredibly grateful that the world spoke up for me so I didn’t have to.”
The recent incident highlights the challenges faced by actors within the industry and underscores the importance of supportive communities. Fellow artist Matthew Lillard also made headlines recently after being critiqued by Tarantino yet found humor in the situation, reflecting on the social media praise he received instead of dwelling on negativity.
This current wave of support for Dano signifies a collective recognition of talent and the camaraderie among artists, embodying a hopeful spirit amid criticism and adversity.