Not many actors that achieved fame years ago are as beloved as Paul Dano. Since his stardom in the 1990’s, Dano has become an icon. Whether its religious preachers, cruel slave owners or bold teenagers, Dano has portrayed several characters. Given the sheer number of movies that he has made, making a top 10 list isn’t easy. Nevertheless, listed below are my picks for the best movies made by an actor that deserves to be celebrated.
1. There Will be Blood
Greed can affect abilities of businessmen to succeed. Several years ago, I witnessed a friend with greed struggle to open a sports business causing sorrow. A businessman with greed, he was driven to succeed. His competitive desire for wealth caused his dreams to open a business to end in ways which were destructive. Affecting his happiness, greed impacted my friend’s ability to open a successful sports business. Few films I’ve ever seen have captured consequences of greed causing businesses to face blood as powerfully as “There Will be Blood”. Ever since its release in 2007, Paul Dano’s movie has stood the test of time as a masterpiece. In the greatest role of his career, Dano embodies a devout religious preacher that engages in rivalry with a greedy businessman causing despair. This is the actor unlike you’ve ever seen him before: intense, charismatic and emotional in his most iconic role. Dano has always had an aptitude for using his loud voice to create strong characters with authority, and “There Will be Blood” showcased his strengths clearly”. Working alongside Daniel Day-Lewis who is also extraordinary, Dano created a powerful portrait of greed causing tragedy. For instance, the final scene in which Eli is bullied by Daniel Plainview for his lack of wealth in the bowling alley causing despair is one of the best moments of the actor’s career. Ultimately, what makes “There Will be Blood” Paul Dano’s best movie is its message. The film delivers a bold message about greed which would resonate with everyone. Nearly 20 years after the release of a film about oil owners learning there will be blood in their career causing despair, it’s a riveting reminder of an actor that thrives playing strong characters in movies about which audiences care.
2. 12 Years a Slave
Slavery is a sensitive subject that shaped my friend’s identity. Several years ago, I formed a bond with a friend that took interest in slavery. I remember he would treasure slavery as a subject matter. He sought to educate classmates about a time in history he came to appreciate. Few films I’ve ever seen have captured grave consequences of slavery in American history as powerfully as “12 Years a Slave”. Released in 2013, Paul Dano’s Oscar-winning movie captured slavery. In the most despicable role of his career, Dano embodies a plantation owner mistreating slaves facing despair. Dano has spent most of his career playing likeable heroes with sympathetic personalities. With “12 Years a Slave”, however, the actor took a step out of his comfort zone by playing a villainous slave owner. Working alongside Chiwetel Ejiofor who is also amazing, Dano created a portrait of slavery that’s compelling. For instance, the scene in which Tibeats mistreats Solomon causing despair is one of the greatest moments of the actor’s career. Ultimately, what makes “12 Years a Slave” a masterpiece is its message. The film delivers a profound message about freedom which would resonate with everyone. A powerful portrait of slavery that caused lives of African-Americans to deteriorate, it’s a breathtaking reminder of an actor that has made films audiences appreciate.
3. Prisoners
Child abduction is a painful process causing parents to face stress. Years ago, my mother became anxious when she lost my brother in stores which were humongous. I remember my mother facing terror as she searched the store for my brother. Fearful he had been abducted, she couldn’t cope with a situation leaving her affected. As someone that has witnessed the dangers of child abduction, I adored “Prisoners”. Released in 2013, Paul Dano’s movie offered a powerful portrait of child abduction causing lives of parents to deteriorate. In the most frightening role of his career, Dano embodies a mentally unstable loner that abducts children causing despair. Dano has an aptitude for playing mentally disturbed characters, and “Prisoners” showcased his strengths as an actor. For instance, the scene in which Alex is tortured by Kellar that suspects him of child abduction causing despair is one of the finest moments of the actor’s career. Ultimately, what makes “Prisoners” a crime classic is its message. The film delivers a strong message about child abduction which would resonate with everyone. As strong as Kellar’s desire to find his abducted children, it’s a riveting reminder of an actor with dedication whose movies deserve celebration.
4. The Fablemans
As far as I can remember, I’ve always wanted to become a filmmaker. At an early age, I was drawn to the magic of the moving image as an art-form with a meaningful message. During my childhood, I formed a passion for writing about movies I found engaging. As someone who lives and breathes movies, “The Fabelmans” seems like the kind of movie that was made for me. Released in 2022, Paul Dano’s movie honoured the legendary filmmaker Steven Spielberg. In the most compassionate role of his career, Dano embodies a hard-working father facing a divorce that becomes a burden to bear. With “The Fabelmans”, the actor showcased rare subtlety that he hadn’t shown in his career before. For instance, the scene in which Burt encourages his son to pursue his dreams of filmmaking is one of the finest moments of the actor’s career. Ultimately, what makes “The Fabemans” a masterpiece is its message. The film delivers a meaningful message about sacrifices involved in pursuing one’s dreams which would resonate with everyone. Nearly 40 years after Steven Spielberg picked up the camera becoming a legendary icon in Cinema, it’s a bold reminder of an actor with charisma whose films are worth celebrating in the modern era.
5. The Batman
Batman is a celebrated superhero that my brother appreciated. I remember my brother adored the caped crusader. A huge comic-book nerd, he spoke fondly about a hero that made him feel heard. He grew up to embrace a comic-book hero that left a smile on his face. As someone treasuring fond memories of a brother that loved Batman, I adored “The Batman”. Released in 2022, Paul Dano’s comic-book blockbuster celebrated the caped crusader. In the most villainous role of his career, Dano embodies a terrorist that plans the destruction of Gotham City causing despair. Dano is one of those actors that has always excelled at playing psychopathic characters, and “The Batman” showcased his strengths as an actor. As the Riddler, Dano did an extraordinary job of portraying an iconic comic-book character. For instance, the scene in which the Riddler is interrogated by Batman in Arkham Asylum causing fear is one of the finest moments of the actor’s career. Ultimately, what makes “The Batman” a masterpiece is its universal appeal. Unlike most Batman movies, it tackles themes everyone would relate to. A captivating tribute towards the caped crusader, it’s a riveting reminder of an actor that has made timeless movies audiences treasure.
6. Ruby Sparks
Writer’s block is a stressful process causing stress. There’s nothing more frustrating in the whole world than when ideas don’t immediately spring to a writer’s mind. As someone that has suffered from writer’s block without sparks of ideas, I adored “Ruby Sparks”. Released in 2012, Paul Dano’s romantic comedy offered an engaging depiction of writer’s block. In the most imaginative role of his career, Dano embodies a struggling author that creates a fantastical woman to cope with writer’s block causing despair. It gave the actor a chance to showcase a sensitive side to himself audiences hadn’t seen before. Working alongside Zoe Kazan who is also outstanding, Dano created a portrait of writer’s block that’s compelling. As strong as Calvin’s love for writing, it’s a riveting reminder of an actor whose timeless movies are worth celebrating.
7. Love & Mercy
Few musicians in American history have achieved recognition of Brian Wilson. During the 1960’s, Wilson founded the famous band Beach Boys composing timeless melodies. A musician with a lasting legacy, Wilson became a legend in Rock history. In 2014, Paul Dano did an extraordinary job of portraying the musician in his movie “Love & Mercy”. In the most musical role of his career, Wilson embodied a legendary singer that composed melodies people love to hear. It gave Dano an opportunity to showcase his talent for singing melodies. Working alongside John Cusack who is also excellent, Dano honoured a musician that achieved fame years ago. A fantastic tribute towards a famous musician that composed songs which were melodious, it’s a riveting reminder of an actor that has made movies audiences consider precious.
8. Looper
Time travel is a tricky concept to execute in movies. In order for any film about time travel to be successful, it needs to balance being entertaining with being logical. It’s a tricky balance that few movies are able to achieve. However, in 2012 Paul Dano pulled off the complex subject matter effectively in his movie “Looper”. In his most thought-provoking role, Dano embodies a hitman stuck in a time loop causing his life to spiral out of control. It’s a role that gave the actor a chance to showcase his talent for playing fearful men in anxiety-inducing situations. Working alongside Joseph Gordon-Levitt who is also amazing, Dano created a powerful portrait of time travel. As precious as time travel missions which loopers seek to fulfill, it’s a spectacular reminder of an amazing actor whose movies always please audiences seeking a thrill.
9. Little Miss Sunshine
Paul Dano is one of those actors that has always excelled at playing eccentric characters. Dano has built an image of being an actor that thrives at playing characters facing emotional damage. Dano’s abilitiy to shine in roles of characters facing a mental decline is clearly evident in his film “Little Miss Sunshine”. Released in 2006, Dano’s movie depicted a dysfunctional family. In the most neurotic role of his career, Dano embodies the son of a dysfunctional family facing despair. It gave the actor a chance to showcase his aptitude for playing quirky characters. Working alongside Toni Collette who is also amazing, Dano created a compelling portrait of a family. A dazzling depiction of dysfunctional families facing a decline, it’s a bold reminder of an actor that hasn’t lost abilities to shine making unforgettable movies audiences consider divine.
10. Cowboys & Aliens
Paul Dano hasn’t always made great movies audiences love to recall. While most movies that the actor has made have been appreciated, a few have left audiences disappointed. Unfortunately, “Cowboys & Aliens” falls into the latter category. Released in 2011, Jon Favreau’s movie was a disaster. In the most shallow role of his career, Dano embodies an anxiety-ridden cowboy seeking to defend his town from aliens causing despair. Dano brought palpable menace to the role standing out as the bright spot of an otherwise bad movie. Although “Cowboys & Aliens” is a problematic movie, it commemorates Dano’s enduring legacy. As strong as cowboys fighting aliens that are frightening, it’s a riveting reminder of an actor that has built a lasting legacy whose captivating movies I will forever treasure for inspiring my lifelong love of filmmaking.
The Film Buff 