Quentin Tarantino recently expressed his critical views on actor Paul Dano during a conversation on “The Bret Easton Ellis Podcast.” While discussing his top ten films of the 21st century, Tarantino pinpointed Paul Thomas Anderson’s “There Will Be Blood” as his fifth favorite. However, he noted that the film suffers from what he described as a “big giant flaw,” attributing this to Dano’s performance.
Tarantino, known for his candid opinions, suggested that Dano’s portrayal in the film did not measure up to that of his co-star, Daniel Day-Lewis, who won an Oscar for his role. “Obviously, it’s supposed to be a two-hander, and it’s also so drastically obvious that it’s not a two-hander,” he remarked, referring to the actor’s performance as “weak sauce.” He further criticized Dano’s contribution by stating, “he’s a weak sister.”
The director did not stop there; he described Dano as “uninteresting” and indicated that he believed Austin Butler would have been a more suitable choice for the role. When Ellis pushed back, pointing to the considerable weight of Day-Lewis’ character, Tarantino remained unmoved, questioning the casting decisions made in the film. “So you put him with the weakest male actor in SAG?” he asked rhetorically.
Despite his critiques, Tarantino acknowledged that Dano isn’t giving a “terrible performance” but rather a “non-entity performance.” When prompted to identify any roles in which he liked Dano, Tarantino instead generated a list of other actors he dislikes, which included Owen Wilson and Matthew Lillard.
Nonetheless, Dano’s career boasts substantial achievements. He received a BAFTA award nomination for his performance in “There Will Be Blood,” and is recognized for his work in the Primetime Emmy-nominated “Mr. and Mrs. Smith” reboot, the limited series “Escape at Dannemora,” and acclaimed films such as “12 Years a Slave,” “The Fabelmans,” and “The Batman.” His accolades also feature a Golden Globe nomination for the film “Love & Mercy” and a Gotham Award.
As Tarantino continues to share his insights on cinema, his top 20 movies of the century list is a reflection of his strong opinions in an ever-evolving film landscape. Fans and critics alike eagerly anticipate both his selections and his unfiltered commentary on the industry.