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Dakota Fanning in Now Is Good
Friday 21st September 2012 | Osh
The latest British film to appear on our screens is a powerful story of love, life and choices.
Now Is Good, stars American actress Dakota Fanning as Tessa, a 17 year old diagnosed with leukaemia. After deciding to stop treatment, she sets her mind on completing a list of things she’d like to do before she dies. A bucket list, if you like.
Many Britons are sceptical when an American decides to take on a British role, particularly when their English accent doesn’t quite convey realism. Just look at the criticism Anne Hathaway received when she appeared in One Day. However, Fanning is able to adopt a British accent for the film, which is set in Brighton, with very little hint that her real accent is southern American.
The film, which is understandably highly emotional, was “just a fun time” according to Fanning. This casual attitude on set is largely down to the actress being able to relate to the wants and needs of the character she plays. After all, they only have one year between them.
The opportunity to work on such an emotional film, as this seems to be, was important for Dakota Fanning. Having almost begged for the part, she has proved her skills to Ol Parker, the director. Not only was she excellent to work with, she arrived with a professional attitude and was very gracious in thanking cast and crew for all their help.
Maybe this is down to her extensive experience in acting, having started when she was only five and gone on to make blockbusters such as War of the Worlds and the Twilight saga. She also starred in Tony Scott’s Man on Fire alongside Denzel Washington. Of Scott, she has much admiration, explaining: “Tony was so motivated about what we were doing, and he made everyone feel the same.”
However, for some, this film is the marking of her transition into a more adult role. Still, it was not the first time she chose to play such a serious role. Five years ago she appeared in Hounddog, where she played a 12 year old rape victim. It understandably had mixed reviews, though Fanning always stands by her decision to make it. Instead of marking one film as her transition, perhaps it's better to say that as she grows older, so do her roles.
She is still dedicated to acting even though currently studying at the Gallatin School of Individualised Study, a college within New York University which enables students to create their own major. After all, the set is where she is most comfortable. It is her home.
Now Is Good is in cinemas now.
By Amy Pitman
