Quentin Tarantino criticizes actor from There Will Be Blood as 'weak sauce'

Director Quentin Tarantino has openly criticized Paul Danos performance in the acclaimed film There Will Be Blood, describing it as a significant flaw that prevented the movie from reaching the very top of his list of 21st-century favorites.

Tarantino on Danos Performance

While naming Paul Thomas Andersons There Will Be Blood as his fifth-favorite film of the century, Tarantino pointed out that Danos acting limited its ranking potential. The film could easily be number one or two if it werent for a major flaw, and that flaw is Paul Dano, he stated during an appearance on The Bret Easton Ellis Podcast.

Tarantino argued that Dano was overshadowed by Daniel Day-Lewis Oscar-winning portrayal. Its meant to be a two-character dynamic, but its glaringly clear it isnt, he said. The director added, Hes weak sauce, man. Hes a weak sister, suggesting that a different actor could have enhanced the films impact. Austin Butler would have been excellent in that role. Dano is just uninteresting and weak.

When Bret Easton Ellis compared the relative weight of Day-Lewiss role, Tarantino quipped, So you pair him with the weakest male actor in SAG? The limpest guy in the world? He clarified, Im not saying hes terrible, just that his performance is essentially a non-entity.

Views on Other Actors

Asked if he appreciated Dano in any other works, Tarantino replied, I dont care for him. I dont care for him, Owen Wilson, or Matthew Lillard.

Paul Danos Career Highlights

Despite Tarantinos criticism, Dano has worked with top directors like Steven Spielberg, Bong Joon-ho, Steve McQueen, Denis Villeneuve, and Ang Lee. His role in There Will Be Blood earned him a BAFTA nomination for Best Supporting Actor. He has also shared the screen with major stars including Tom Cruise, Harrison Ford, Robert De Niro, Robert Pattinson, and Daniel Radcliffe.

Author: Ava Mitchell