MovieChat Forums > Paul Dano Discussion > Why so punchable?

Why so punchable?

posted 4 years ago by Drooch (5333)
12 replies | jump to latest

Look, he’s probably a decent guy and has a degree of talent I guess, but there’s something so annoying about him that warrants a punch. He’s sort of smug plus weak, like a hipster with unwarranted self satisfaction despite being useless and having no substance.

I also caught some overacting from him in There Will Be Blood - his ‘demon face’ during the exorcism irritated me. I didn’t find him too annoying in The Girl Next Door, but even then his face called for a light slap.

Is it that he seems self-conscious and doesn’t really immerse himself in the material, instead hoping to stand out by showing off? Help me to understand why I, and others it seems, feel the need to punch this actor.

[–] Kowalski (75528) 4 years ago

HIGH QUALITY ACTOR...I HAVE NO DESIRE TO PUNCH HIM.

[–] Drooch (5333) 4 years ago

A perfectly respectable position, clearly stated.

[–] einstein (2561) 4 years ago

agreed with kowalski, one of the best actors in hollywood atm, go check out swiss army man https://www.imdb.com/title/tt4034354/

[–] dt123 (704) 4 years ago

Punch him? Very weird thing to say. He’s a great actor, but even if he annoyed me, I wouldn’t think of punching him. Weird.

[–] Drooch (5333) 4 years ago

I’ll agree that it’s weird, but it’s also unusually common if you read various threads about him.

Here’s another weird thing - it’s not necessarily born of aggression, more of a sense that a good punch would help bring his ego in line with his worth. It’s almost a desire to ‘heal’ him.

[–] [deleted] 3 years ago

Yes

[–] Burk48917 (11360) 4 years ago

I think maybe it's because so many of his characters are so wormy. I completely get what you are saying.

[–] Drooch (5333) 4 years ago

‘Wormy’ - great description. It captures his spinelessness and his worm-like features.

[–] LiquidOcelot (2399) 4 years ago

He's just got an annoying face, and you hate him because he's cast in great movies that he doesn't deserve to be in. There Will Be Blood could've been even better without him. Imagine Ed Norton in that role instead. Two of the best actors of their generation pit against each other. The baptism scene would've been off the charts incredible.

[–] Drooch (5333) 4 years ago

Dano actually replaced the actor originally playing Eli well into the shoot - I’d be interested to see that footage and determine whether that was the right choice, I have my doubts.

Norton’s a fine actor but maybe a little old to play Eli, I wonder if there’s someone Dano’s age who could have nailed it...

[–] LiquidOcelot (2399) 4 years ago

I would adjust the age of the character to make it work, and get rid of the twin aspect which by the way, wasn't convincing.

[–] bobbydallas (8515) 3 years ago

cause he's a mook