DAKOTA FANNING 

The Fanning Sisters are that rare combination of working actresses that both started as child stars, have both been able to mature into more adult roles and are both thriving at being equally successful and diverse. 

I'm compelled to write about Dakota Fanning after recently finishing Ripley, the excellent 8 episode adaptation of Patricia highsmith's book The Talented Mr Ripley on Netflix. 

This was the first time that I actually had a strong reaction to a Dakota Fanning performance.  She was enjoyable as part of the ensemble Twilight franchise cast, and watered down versions of three real life one-of-a-kind female quasi-celebs - teen Starlet Beverly adland who was Errol Flynn's lover in the last of Robin hood, Sherry Curry who was the lead singer of The Runaways in the self-titled film and Charles Manson follower Lynette Squeaky fromme in the excellent Once Upon a Time in Hollywood. Oh and did the voice of Coraline . These are the things that I pretty much know her from.  And I always considered her to be a serviceable actress, just fine on screen, but nothing that really jumped out at me. 

Until I saw her as Marge in Ripley.  Her suspicious yet sometimes simplering characterization along with her steely unflinching gaze was a Dakota that I had not seen before.  The dislike that I sometimes felt for her character was tempered with my appreciation that she has broadened her acting skills to the point where I actually have some sort of strong reaction to her that was less than oh she's Pleasant. I'm looking forward to seeing her in the Watchers and I'm glad I have some of her early signed autographs in my collection.  

It is interesting to have autographs of child stars that are signed when they were actually beginning their career. At a time when they are usually carefully writing their full name in newly learned cursive. Oftentimes their signatures will change rapidly and drastically as their Fame ascends and their autograph becomes more sought after. 

ELLE FANNING 

For all I knew she was just Dakota's younger sister in a lot of stuff that I had not seen.  So when I saw her in the two Maleficent films, I was like oh there is definitely some rizz in Elle Fanning. I like her! 

I've got to dig further into her career and much more of her work because she seems to be gaining traction rapidly in quality projects.   

I'll be interested in checking out Elle's highly lauded Catherine since Catherine the Great was played by two of my favorite old Hollywood actresses. On film by Marlene Dietrich and the Scarlet empress and on stage by Mae West and Catherine was great. 

This autograph, purchased as part of a large collection, is clearly a forgery.  Let’s just print Elle Fanning’s name on a card in blue sharpie, add a heart and sell it.   

I just remembered Dakota playing Cherie Currie in “The Runaways”.  I LOVE THE RUNAWAYS!  I’ve met most of them and will share my stories.  Dakota did her own vocals, which is a daring move IMO, for covering true female rockers Runaways.  But she got a leeeeetle bit of “Cherry Bomb” just about right.