Quentin Tarantino’s recent selection of his 20 favorite films of the 21st century has caused quite a stir, especially due to the placement of There Will Be Blood in fifth place. In his list, the acclaimed work of Paul Thomas Anderson is surpassed only by titles like Black Hawk Down and Toy Story 3, which has sparked debates regarding the criticism the director has directed towards Paul Dano’s performance in the film.
Doesn’t consider him a good actor
Tarantino, known for his sharp cinematic vision, praised Daniel Day-Lewis’s performance, describing it as an exhibition of “old-school craftsmanship.” However, he did not hesitate to point out that Dano’s performance does not reach the same level, suggesting that this negatively affects the overall perception of There Will Be Blood. In a recent episode of Bret Easton Ellis’s podcast, he stated: “It’s not that the performance is bad, it just seems like a compromise.” This assessment has reignited a recurring theme in the relationship between the two actors, which has characterized Tarantino’s analyses for years.
Tarantino’s comparison between Day-Lewis and Dano is clear. “If the two characters are supposed to fight during the movie, Daniel Day-Lewis is Muhammad Ali and Paul Dano is Jerry Quarry,” he stated, leaving little room for interpretation of his stance. Despite some praise for other performances by Dano, such as in The Fabelmans and 12 Years a Slave, it seems that Tarantino’s opinion has not changed. This disagreement could contribute to a climate of competition and criticism in Hollywood, where the definition of acting talent is a topic of constant discussion.
In summary, Tarantino’s selection has opened a new chapter in the debates about cinematic interpretation and the way performances can influence the reception of a masterpiece.