Quentin Tarantino Slams Paul Dano’s Acting in ‘There Will Be Blood’
Quentin Tarantino recently shared his admiration for 'There Will Be Blood,' but didn't hold back his harsh criticism of Paul Dano's performance, suggesting the film would have ranked higher on his list without Dano's involvement.
Quentin Tarantino has wrapped up his picks for the top films of the 21st century, but his list came with some sharp opinions. During a recent appearance on the Bret Easton Ellis podcast, Tarantino singled out Paul Thomas Anderson’s 2007 drama, 'There Will Be Blood,' as his fifth favorite movie of the century so far. While he had plenty of praise for the film itself, he didn’t mince words about one of its stars.
High Praise for the Film and Daniel Day-Lewis
Tarantino kicked things off by applauding the film’s craftsmanship and Daniel Day-Lewis’s performance.
“Daniel Day-Lewis. The old-style craftsmanship is evident in the film. It had an old Hollywood craftsmanship without trying to be like that.”
In the movie, Day-Lewis takes on the role of Daniel Plainview, a relentless oil prospector determined to dominate the industry. Paul Dano, meanwhile, plays the dual roles of Eli and Paul Sunday, twin brothers who cross paths with Plainview.
The director of 'Kill Bill' noted that 'There Will Be Blood' stands out in Anderson’s body of work.
“It was the only film he’s ever done, and I brought it up to him, that doesn’t have a set piece. The fire is the closest to a set piece. This was about dealing with the narrative, dealing with the story, and he did it fucking amazingly.”
Tarantino’s Harsh Take on Paul Dano
Despite his admiration for the film, Tarantino didn’t hold back when it came to Dano’s performance. He admitted that the movie could have ranked even higher on his list if not for what he saw as a major flaw.
“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.”
He went on to say,
“Obviously, it’s supposed to be a two-hander, but it’s also drastically obvious that it’s not a two-hander.”
Tarantino continued,
“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].”
Reactions and Aftermath
As of now, Paul Dano has not responded to Tarantino’s comments. The director’s blunt assessment has sparked plenty of conversation among film fans and industry insiders alike, especially given the critical acclaim Dano has received for his work in the past. Tarantino’s remarks have added a new layer to the ongoing discussion about the film’s legacy and the performances that shaped it.