# Dakota fanning.

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dakota-fanning/305185>\
**Category:** Cafe Society\
**Created:** [May 23, 2005, 11:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dakota-fanning/305185 "2005-05-23T23:19:34Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 4\
**Page:** 2

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**Author:** ![Kizarvexius](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/da6949/32.png) [@Kizarvexius](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kizarvexius)\
**Post date:** [May 24, 2005, 9:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dakota-fanning/305185/21 "2005-05-24T21:25:31Z")

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Denzel Washington spoke on TV about being in complete awe of Dakota Fanning’s acting ability. He said that the only other actor he’s ever worked with that impressed him _that_ much was Gene Hackman.

Furthermore, as I understand it, Dakota Fanning is not only an enormously talented actress at a young age, she is also a sweet kid who has yet to develop a diva-esque temperment – a rare quality in Hollywood child stars.

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**Author:** ![silk1976](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/8edcca/32.png) [@silk1976](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silk1976)\
**Post date:** [May 25, 2005, 5:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dakota-fanning/305185/22 "2005-05-25T05:07:34Z")

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> [@Larry Mudd](#):
>
> I never feel _quite_ right about saying this, but I’m a fan.
> 
> That kid’s got some serious chops. I think, after _I Am Sam_, she gets a lot of work because she can _act_. She’s a total pro. Even when she’s in a total stinker, she really does a fantastic job.
> 
> I think it’s pretty clear from looking at her work that she’ll continue to get work and turn out good performances for as long as she chooses to. Definitely in the Jodie Foster column.
> 
> Seriously, the first time I saw _I Am Sam_, my reaction was pretty much “Who _is_ that girl? Is she really as young as she appears to be in this film? How is this possible?”
> 
> Not your run-of-the-mill child actor.

I just saw I am Sam the other day and pretty much the same idea occured to me as well. Finding a good child actor isn’t easy - so when they find one thats half decent (and in I am Sam, she was as good as a child actor can be), I think the studios tend to use them for other movies.

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**Author:** ![Sengkelat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e36b37/32.png) [@Sengkelat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sengkelat)\
**Post date:** [May 25, 2005, 6:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dakota-fanning/305185/23 "2005-05-25T06:00:20Z")

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Given that she can act (despite what some dopers think) studios doubtless would rather get her than take a risk on some random child actor. I have a sneaking suspicion that child actors tend to be very hit-or-miss, so if you find one that can turn in a solid performance every time, it’s a good thing.

I like her reaction shot in the War of the Worlds trailer. She actually looks scared. Really scared. Nicely done.

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**Author:** ![jacquilynne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/67e7ee/32.png) [@jacquilynne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jacquilynne)\
**Post date:** [May 25, 2005, 2:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dakota-fanning/305185/24 "2005-05-25T14:00:45Z")

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I’ve read that she’s has an impressive memory, as well. Not having to coach a child actor through their lines has to speed up production a significant amount.

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