Quentin Tarantino Reveals Dislike for Owen Wilson Despite Picking "Midnight in Paris" as a Favorite

Quentin Tarantino has openly expressed his strong dislike for actor Owen Wilson, even while acknowledging Wilson's film Midnight in Paris as one of his top 10 favorite movies of the 21st century.

During an appearance on The Bret Easton Ellis Podcast on December 2, the 62-year-old director also criticized Paul Danos performance in There Will Be Blood, calling it weak sauce. The discussion centered around Tarantinos personal picks for the best films released since 2000.

Despite his personal feelings about Wilson, Tarantino placed the 2011 Woody Allen comedy Midnight in Paris high on his list. The film features Wilson as a writer who, while visiting Paris with his fiance, mysteriously travels back to the 1920s and meets legendary figures such as F. Scott Fitzgerald, Ernest Hemingway, and Salvador Dali.

"Oddly enough, I really can't stand Owen Wilson. I mean, I can't stand him," Tarantino confessed. Yet, he admitted that upon first watching Midnight in Paris, he experienced a mix of admiration and irritation toward Wilson's performance. "The second time I watched it I thought, 'Okay, dont be so harsh. Hes not that bad.' By the third viewing, I was fully engaged with his performance," he added.

The filmmaker highlighted that Midnight in Paris was among the last films to enjoy an extended run of nearly five to six months in theaters. Alongside Wilson's film, Tarantino listed his other favorite 21st-century movies, including Shaun of the Dead, Mad Max: Fury Road, Unstoppable, Zodiac, There Will Be Blood, Dunkirk, Toy Story 3, Lost in Translation, and Black Hawk Down.

Reiterating his critical view of certain actors, Tarantino stated, "I dont care for [Paul Dano]. I dont care for Owen Wilson. I dont care for Matthew Lillard," underscoring his candid approach to discussing performances he finds underwhelming.

Author's Analysis: Tarantino’s Contradictory Praise

Quentin Tarantino's recent comments reveal a striking contradiction between his personal preferences and professional evaluations. Despite openly stating his dislike for Owen Wilson, he ranked Wilson’s performance in Midnight in Paris among his top 10 films of the 21st century. This highlights Tarantino’s ability to separate his personal feelings from his critical judgment of a film’s overall quality.

His remarks also extend to Paul Dano, whose role in There Will Be Blood he dismissed as “weak sauce.” Tarantino’s candid assessments demonstrate his unapologetic approach to evaluating actors, regardless of a film’s acclaim or cultural impact.

The context of this discussion, framed by Tarantino’s personal list of favorite films, emphasizes that even filmmakers with strong opinions can recognize merit in performances by actors they personally dislike. This nuanced stance offers insight into Tarantino’s critical methodology and his engagement with cinema beyond personal biases.

Sources:

• Quentin Tarantino Says He 'Can't Stand Owen Wilson' Despite Naming “Midnight in Paris” as One of His Favorite Movies

Author: Grace Ellison
Grace Ellison is a journalist focusing on environmental issues and sustainability. She has experience publishing international reports and participating in documentary projects.