Movie Review: Uptown Girls

What we can tell you is that the movie focuses on Molly Gunn (played by Brittany Murphy of 8 Mile and Clueless), the free-spirited daughter of a now deceased rock star, who left Molly his fortune and a penchant for the high life. The problem is that Molly’s father’s accountant runs off with all her money and she is forced to find a job and fend for herself, which she has never done. Happily for her, a friend recommends her as a nanny to a high-powered music executive (Heather Locklear), who hires her to look after her precocious but emotionally closed 8-year-old daughter, Ray (played by Dakota Fanning). Ray is the total opposite of Molly. Molly is such a “free-spirit” she has never grown up, while Ray has never really been a child. These polar opposites must then teach each other how to act their age.

A few weeks before the film opened, I spoke with Dakota Fanning (Ray). A friendly and articulate 9-year-old looking forward to entering fifth grade, she spoke about what she likes best about making movies: “I really like meeting new people,” she says, “and going to new places, and finding out about all sorts of things that I wouldn’t otherwise.” Her least favorite thing about movies? “Leaving everyone at the end. That’s the worst part.”

She went on to talk about how she approaches playing a part. “In all my roles,” she says, “I just think what would I do in a situation, then go ahead and do that.” And she enjoyed playing Ray in particular: “It’s such a different role,” she says. “I’ve never played anyone like Ray. She is so tight and clenched,” she laughs. “And kind of mean, actually – a very fun role to play.”