Tarantino Trashes Paul Dano, But Hollywood Isn't Having It
Quentin Tarantino didn't hold back when discussing one of the century's best films, calling out one actor for a 'giant flaw.' Now, some of Hollywood's biggest names are stepping up to defend their colleague.
Quentin Tarantino, known for his strong opinions, recently stirred the pot during a conversation on The Bret Easton Ellis Podcast. While discussing his favorite films of the 21st century, the acclaimed filmmaker singled out one performance for some particularly sharp criticism, igniting a firestorm of reactions across the entertainment world.
Tarantino's Unfiltered Take
The movie in question was Paul Thomas Anderson’s 2007 masterpiece, There Will Be Blood. Tarantino placed the film, which features Daniel Day-Lewis as a ruthless oil tycoon, high on his list but with a major caveat. He felt the film had a significant weakness. “There Will Be Blood would stand a good chance at being one or two if it didn’t have a big, giant flaw in it … and the flaw is Paul Dano,” the director stated.
Tarantino didn't mince words, elaborating on his critique of the actor. “He is weak sauce, man. He’s a weak sister. Austin Butler would have been wonderful in that role. [Dano is] just such a weak, weak, uninteresting guy. The weakest fucking actor in SAG [Screen Actors Guild],” he continued, offering a blunt and unflattering assessment that quickly made headlines.
A Director's Defense
The response to Tarantino's comments was swift, with many industry insiders coming to Dano's side. Among the most prominent voices was Matt Reeves, who directed Dano in The Batman. Reeves took to social media on December 4th to offer his unequivocal support. “Paul Dano is an incredible actor, and an incredible person,” he posted, directly countering the criticism.
Reeves and Dano recently worked together on the dark superhero film, where Dano portrayed the menacing villain, the Riddler, opposite Robert Pattinson's Batman. The screenwriter for Reeves' upcoming sequel also weighed in, adding to the chorus of praise. “I am really pleased to see so many people cheer on Paul Dano this week. Not only is he a terrific actor, but he’s an astonishing director who exudes control and tremendous empathy. Check out ‘Wildlife’ if you haven’t seen it,” he wrote.
Industry Support Grows
The wave of support didn't stop there. Veteran actor and director Ben Stiller also caught wind of the controversy and shared his own concise but powerful opinion online. Stiller simply wrote, “Paul Dano is fucking brilliant.”
Despite the heated discourse surrounding his performance and the outpouring of defense from his peers, Paul Dano has not yet publicly addressed the matter. The actor has remained silent as colleagues and fans continue to debate the merits of Tarantino's pointed remarks.