Paul Dano reacts to Tarantino criticism: I was incredibly grateful that the world spoke up for me'

"Paul Dano has responded to Quentin Tarantino's scathing criticism of his acting abilities, thanking those who came to his defence after Tarantino called him a weak, uninteresting guy and the limpest dick in the world. On Wednesday, Dano told Variety that the supportive responses that poured in from his peers and across social media was touching. That was really nice, Dano said. I was also incredibly grateful that the world spoke up for me so I didn't have to."

"Obviously, it's supposed to be a two-hander. But it's also drastically obvious that it's not a two-hander, Tarantino told Ellis. [Dano] is weak sauce, man. He is the weak sister. [Day-Lewis] is eating him [alive]. Austin Butler would have been wonderful in that role. [Dano] is just such a weak, weak, uninteresting guy. Daniel Day-Lewis shows that he doesn't need a strong foil. The movie needs it. He doesn't need anything. It's supposed to be a two-hander and it's not!"

Quentin Tarantino criticised Paul Dano's performance in There Will Be Blood on Bret Easton Ellis's podcast, calling him "weak sauce" and the "limpest dick in the world" and arguing the film failed as a two-hander. Tarantino compared Dano unfavourably to Daniel Day-Lewis and suggested other actors would have been stronger. Many peers and social-media users defended Dano in response. Dano thanked those who spoke up and said their support was touching and that he was grateful the world spoke up for him. A representative for Day-Lewis praised Dano as among the best and most talented of his generation. Reese Witherspoon called Dano gifted, versatile and a gentleman.

Read at www.theguardian.com