Lead: Quentin Tarantino, speaking on The Bret Easton Ellis Podcast, singled out Paul Dano’s work in Paul Thomas Anderson’s 2007 film There Will Be Blood as a major shortcoming, placing the movie at No. 5 on his list of the best 21st-century films but saying it would rank higher absent what he called a “giant flaw.” Tarantino praised Daniel Day‑Lewis’s Oscar‑winning turn while describing Dano’s performance in blunt terms, a remark that generated swift attention and comment across entertainment media. The Hollywood Reporter noted it reached out to Dano’s representatives and had not received a response by publication.
Key Takeaways
- Quentin Tarantino ranked There Will Be Blood (2007) No. 5 on his list of top 21st‑century films but described a major flaw he attributed to Paul Dano’s performance.
- Tarantino praised Daniel Day‑Lewis’s performance, noting Day‑Lewis won the Academy Award for Best Actor for the role.
- There Will Be Blood earned eight Academy Award nominations and won two Oscars: Best Actor (Daniel Day‑Lewis) and Best Cinematography.
- On The Bret Easton Ellis Podcast, Tarantino used phrases such as “weak sauce” and called Dano the “weakest male actor in SAG,” prompting debate about casting and co‑leading dynamics.
- The comment was reported by The Hollywood Reporter and referenced People’s coverage of the podcast exchange; THR said Dano’s representatives had not replied to outreach by publication time.
Background
There Will Be Blood, directed by Paul Thomas Anderson and released in 2007, is widely regarded as a landmark American drama. The film centers on Daniel Plainview, portrayed by Daniel Day‑Lewis, and his rivalry with Paul Dano’s character—an adversarial dynamic that many critics and audiences have discussed since the film’s release. The film received eight Academy Award nominations and won two, cementing its place in awards-season history and in cinema discussions about performance and direction.
Quentin Tarantino—an influential filmmaker and two‑time Academy Award winner—has periodically published or discussed lists of his favorite contemporary films, and his public assessments can shape conversation among cinephiles and industry observers. Debates about co‑lead chemistry and how a dominant central performance can affect a supporting role have long been part of film criticism, especially when one performance garners major awards attention. Tarantino’s recent remarks fit into that broader pattern of critical reappraisal and high‑profile opinion driving renewed interest in older films.
Main Event
On The Bret Easton Ellis Podcast, Tarantino placed There Will Be Blood at number five among 21st‑century films but added that the picture would rank higher were it not for what he described as a “big giant flaw.” He identified that flaw as Paul Dano’s performance, arguing the film was marketed as a two‑hander but did not function as one because of an imbalance between the leads. Tarantino contrasted Dano’s portrayal with Day‑Lewis’s, saying the latter’s forceful work rendered a strong foil unnecessary.
During the exchange, host Bret Easton Ellis suggested Daniel Day‑Lewis’s portrayal was so dominant it may have overwhelmed the dynamic, to which Tarantino replied by labeling Dano “weak sauce” and calling him the “weakest male actor in SAG.” The wording he used was blunt and drew attention immediately; media outlets reported the comments and shared clips and transcripts of the discussion. Tarantino also grouped Dano with other actors he said he does not favor, naming Owen Wilson and Matthew Lillard, and clarified he did not mean Dano’s work was “terrible” but that it registered to him as a “non‑entity.”
The Hollywood Reporter reached out to Dano’s representatives and, according to the outlet, did not hear back by the time it published its piece. The remarks reignited public discussion about the film’s casting and the role of critical authority when one high‑profile director critiques another actor’s work decades after release.
Analysis & Implications
Tarantino’s critique underscores how influential voices can reopen debates about films even years after their release. When a director with Tarantino’s platform characterizes a performance as a structural flaw, it steers attention back to interpretive questions—Was the film intended as a duel between equals? Did the performances serve different aesthetic functions?—rather than settled factual points like awards outcomes.
For Paul Dano, now a recognized actor with an established career, the comment may have limited practical impact on casting or reputation but reflects the persistent public scrutiny performers face. Industry decision‑makers typically weigh a body of work, box‑office track record, critical reception and awards history; a single high‑profile critique is unlikely to alone redefine an actor’s professional standing, though it can color public perception temporarily.
The exchange also illustrates a common critical tension: strong central performances can be read as either testament to an actor’s power or as overshadowing weaker elements. Daniel Day‑Lewis’s performance in There Will Be Blood won Best Actor at the Academy Awards and is often cited as the film’s central achievement; Tarantino’s reading treats that dominance as evidence that a co‑lead did not meet the film’s demands. That interpretation remains, fundamentally, a critical judgment rather than an empirical conclusion.
Comparison & Data
| Film | Year | Academy Award Nominations | Academy Awards Won |
|---|---|---|---|
| There Will Be Blood | 2007 | 8 | 2 (Best Actor, Cinematography) |
The film’s eight nominations and two wins reflect recognition across technical and performance categories, with Day‑Lewis’s Best Actor statuette often highlighted in retrospectives. Comparing nomination and win counts provides a partial metric for industry esteem but does not resolve subjective disputes about ensemble balance or acting quality.
Reactions & Quotes
Reporting and commentary appeared quickly after the podcast. Below are representative excerpts and the context in which they were offered.
“And the flaw is Paul Dano… He is weak sauce, man. He’s a weak sister.”
Quentin Tarantino (as quoted on The Bret Easton Ellis Podcast)
That comment was Tarantino’s blunt characterization of Dano’s contribution, presented while ranking the film on his list and comparing the film’s supposed two‑hander structure to the result he perceived on screen.
“Daniel Day‑Lewis shows that he doesn’t need [a strong foil in the movie]. He doesn’t need anything.”
Quentin Tarantino (as quoted on The Bret Easton Ellis Podcast)
Tarantino used Day‑Lewis’s performance as a point of contrast, suggesting the lead’s magnitude made an equally forceful counterpart unnecessary.
“So you put him with the weakest male actor in SAG? The limpest dick in the world?”
Quentin Tarantino (as quoted on The Bret Easton Ellis Podcast)
These additional, provocative phrases generated the most media pickup, and outlets reported them alongside context about the podcast episode and the film’s awards history.
Unconfirmed
- Whether Paul Dano or his representatives will issue a public response to Tarantino’s remarks beyond the THR note that outreach had not been returned by publication time.
- Whether Tarantino’s assessment reflects a broader consensus among critics and peers; critical opinion on Dano’s performance in There Will Be Blood varies and is interpretive rather than settled.
- Whether the podcast excerpt circulated in media fully captured the conversation’s tone and context; edited clips can emphasize selected lines that alter perceived intent.
Bottom Line
Tarantino’s comments have reignited debate about how performances are read within the architecture of a film. There Will Be Blood remains widely acclaimed and decorated—its awards record and continued presence in critical lists testify to that—while assessments of Dano’s role continue to be matters of interpretation rather than factual controversy.
For readers, the episode is a reminder that prominent critics and directors can reshape discussion long after a film’s release, but their remarks should be weighed against the film’s broader reception, archival reviews, and the variety of critical perspectives. Expect discussion to continue, but recognize that the core facts—the film’s nominations, wins and historical place—remain unchanged.
Sources
- The Hollywood Reporter — Entertainment news report on the podcast exchange (industry reporting)
- People — Coverage and secondary reporting of podcast comments (news media)
- Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences — Official record of the 80th Academy Awards winners and nominations (official)