Highlights From the American Cinematheque Elle Fanning Tribute

Elle Fanning may only be 24, but when you start acting at 2 years old you can accomplish a lot in a couple of decades!

The younger sister of actor Dakota Fanning, Elle’s first role was in 2001’s I Am Sam where she played the younger version of her sister. She has since gone on to star in several movies and television shows including The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, Maleficent, and The Great.

To honor her already impressive career, American Cinematheque recently hosted a two-night tribute to Elle Fanning. The tribute included screenings of The Great, Teen Spirit, The Girl From Plainville, and The Neon Demon, and an in-person interview with Elle at the Aero Theatre.

Elle Fanning discussed her body of work and what it is like to work with some of the leading actors in Hollywood. When asked about working on The Great, she talked about how starring in a comedy has challenged her in new ways. Fanning is known for taking more dramatic roles, but there’s no denying that her comedy and her serious moments playing the legendary monarch Catherine the Great are equally as impactful. 

Comedy may not be her comfort zone, but she is enjoying the chance to stretch herself as an actor.

“Being surrounded by such incredible artists has helped me deliver the punchline. Because you read the script and you’re like ‘oh that’s a joke’, like I have to say the joke, I have to get that right or it will fall flat if you don’t deliver it correctly”.

It may be a lot of pressure to deliver the jokes and get the laughs, but it helps when you’re surrounded by hilariously talented actors. She loves working with her fellow cast members, especially her onscreen hubby because, “Nicholas Hoult is so comedically gifted”. And while comedy may be new for Fanning, she definitely holds her own in every scene.

“Nicholas Hoult is so comedically gifted.”

One special component of the Elle Fanning tribute was that it included screenings of two episodes of her tv shows, The Great and The Girl From Plainville. Fanning stated that, “It’s so rare to see…a television show with an audience. To hear your reactions and ooh’s and ah’s was really cool”. Some of the best content that is being produced right now is heading straight to streaming platforms. There was something very special about experiencing a TV show in a packed theater, and that’s coming from the perspective of an audience member. I can’t imagine how much more impactful that moment must have been for the star of the show. 

“It’s so rare to see…a television show with an audience. To hear your reactions and ooh’s and ah’s was really cool”.

Fanning may be young, but she is already proving that she is a talented actor with the determination to continue improving in her craft. She is currently filming the third season of The Great and says that looking back at the first two seasons she can already see “an evolution from myself from the first season to where I am now. I’m 24. The pilot I did when I was 20. I feel like I’ve grown so much as an actor. And I need to keep reminding myself that those milestone moments (are important). Don’t take that for granted”.

Elle Fanning is such a powerhouse on screen and attending this tribute opened my eyes to just how talented she is. I don’t know about you, but I’m feeling quite inspired to watch her entire filmography. 

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Written by Zianna Weston