Paul Dano has publicly addressed Quentin Tarantino’s harsh critique of his acting skills, expressing gratitude for the overwhelming support he received from colleagues and fans following the filmmaker’s disparaging remarks. Tarantino had notably referred to Dano as a “weak, uninteresting guy” and went so far as to say he resembled “the limpest dick in the world,” particularly in reference to Dano’s performance in the acclaimed film “There Will Be Blood.”
In an interview with Variety, Dano reflected on the kind words shared by peers, stating, “That was really nice. I was also incredibly grateful that the world spoke up for me so I didn’t have to.” His appreciation comes in light of Tarantino’s comments made during a podcast appearance in December, where he ranked “There Will Be Blood” but criticized Dano’s role as undermining the film’s potential to shine as a two-hander opposite Daniel Day-Lewis.
Tarantino did not hold back his opinions, labeling Dano’s performance as “weak sauce” and suggesting that Austin Butler would have been a better fit for the role. He maintained that while Dano’s performance wasn’t terrible, it rendered him a non-entity within an otherwise strong cast, further explaining that Day-Lewis’s talent did not necessitate a strong counterpart.
In response to Tarantino’s comments, many actors and filmmakers rallied in support of Dano. Reese Witherspoon, who co-starred with him in “Inherent Vice,” praised him as “an incredibly gifted, versatile actor” and a “gentleman.” Matt Reeves, Dano’s director in “The Batman,” echoed similar sentiments, affirming Dano’s talent and character.
Ben Stiller and Alec Baldwin also joined the chorus, with Stiller calling Dano “fucking brilliant,” while Baldwin stated, “I love Paul Dano. And if you don’t love Paul Dano, shhh.” George Clooney took the opportunity during an awards ceremony to emphasize the importance of kindness, noting that he would be “honoured” to work with Dano and criticizing the cruelty often displayed in Hollywood.
Toni Collette, Dano’s co-star in “Little Miss Sunshine,” also took a stand against Tarantino’s remarks, saying, “Fuck that guy! He must’ve been high… it was just confusing. Who does that?” Jonathan Dayton, a co-director of “Little Miss Sunshine,” further criticized Tarantino’s comments as an “embarrassment,” suggesting they stemmed from discomfort with Dano’s raw performance.
Additionally, actor Matthew Lillard shared his perspective, acknowledging the emotional toll such harsh criticism can take, stating, “It hurts your feelings. It fucking sucks.” He highlighted that such comments would likely not be directed at more established stars like Tom Cruise.
The situation underscores a broader conversation about the treatment of actors in the industry and the support that can arise in opposition to negativity. Dano’s experience, while initially marred by controversy, ultimately brings to light the importance of solidarity and kindness within Hollywood.