If you are an avid chick flick fan like myself, you probably remember Dakota Fanning as Ray, from her role in Uptown Girls in 2003, or her role in War of the Worlds in 2005. This probably depends on whatever your movie genre preference.
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Fanning, as Ray. (2003, Uptown Girls) Photo from International Movie Database.
Look familiar?

Now 19-year-old Dakota Fanning is showing off her more mature self, making an appearance at the 2013 Venice Film Festival at the Palazzo Del Cinema, on Saturday, August 31 in Venice, Italy. Dakota was wearing a ravishing midnight ball gown at the premiere for her role as Dena Brauer in Night Moves. Appearing with director Kelly Reichardt and her co-star, Jesse Eisenberg. Fanning wore a spectacular Elie Saab gown and Jimmy Choo shoes on the red carpet.

Earlier on Saturday, Reichardt, Eisenberg and Fanning were out for the film’s photo call held at the Palazzo de Casino. This time, Dakota dressed in an Alexander McQueen double-layered-skirt dress with eye-catching embroidery, and Rupert Sanderson heels.

Fanning was known for being so talented at such a young age, and taking challenging roles or that were out-of-the-box. Not just for the money. Now seeing her all grown up, Fanning viewers find it awkward seeing her, and how much she has changed from a youthful child into a young lady, in a good way.

Her newest movie, Night Moves, has another upcoming preview date on September 8 at the Toronto International Film Festival in Canada. Fanning also has two upcoming American films, The Last of Robin Hood and Every Secret Thing, which currently have no specific release dates in the U.S. One upcoming foreign film, Effie Gray, which is due to release in October 2013 in the UK.

If you’re like me, you will look forward to further appearances. Where some Hollywood children grow up, sometimes too fast and become not so “classy.” Fanning continues to show us that she is growing up beautifully and can hold her own.